VEON appoints Ursula Burns as Chairman and CEO

VEON Ltd., a leading global provider of connectivity and internet services headquartered in Amsterdam, today announces the appointment of Ursula Burns as Chairman and CEO, effective immediately.

Ms. Burns has served as Chairman of the VEON Board of Directors since July 2017 and as Executive Chairman since March 2018, during which time she has successfully introduced a simplified corporate structure including a leaner operating model along with an increased focus on emerging markets.

Ms. Burns said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chairman and CEO of VEON. The company operates in a diverse group of markets, with growing populations and rapidly increasing smartphone ownership. This clearly presents a host of growth opportunities for VEON as we seek to build on the positive momentum that we are seeing across the business. I look forward to continuing to lead VEON towards more success and increased shareholder value.”

“The Board has been impressed with Ursula’s performance and leadership of the Company. The management teams are clearly working well together and focused on delivering against strategic priorities. Ursula has led VEON through a major transaction in the sale of its Italy joint venture for $2.9 billion and overseen a period of solid quarterly operational performance. We are confident that with her as Chairman and CEO there will be further improvements across the business,” commented Sir Julian Horn-Smith, a director on VEON’s Board.