Telia Appointments: Abraham Foss is CEO for Norway, Mansur Khamidov to Continue as CEO of Kcell

GET and TDC Norway which Telia Company acquired earlier this year, will merge with Telia Norway during Q1, 2019, thus creating a strong challenger in the Norwegian market.

Abraham Foss, currently CEO of Telia Norway, will lead the combined entities – the new Telia Norway. Gunnar Evensen, CEO of GET, has decided to leave his position at his own request.

“Abraham has what it takes to continue our successful development of Telia Company in Norway. We have exciting times ahead as a strong challenger in the Norwegian market with converged customer offerings for both consumers and enterprises. Our track record of creating value in Norway through acquisitions is second to none,” says Johan Dennelind, President and CEO of Telia Company.

Abraham Foss joined Telia Company in 2015 as CEO of Telia Norway. Foss has extensive experience from different leadership and advisory roles within and outside the telecom industry.

”I’m very happy to be granted the opportunity of heading the new company and I look forward to working together with many talented old and new colleagues. We are well-positioned to challenge and create value for all our customers and I can promise that in the next phase of this exciting journey, we will work even harder on becoming the preferred choice in the Norwegian market, ” says Abraham Foss.

Gunnar Evensen, CEO of GET, has decided to leave his position at his own request. He joined GET in 1998 and has been CEO of the company since 2000. He will leave his position immediately but will remain with the company until the merger has been completed.

“Gunnar has successfully worked to position GET as a leading provider of fixed and TV services in Norway. I truly appreciate his efforts and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” says Johan Dennelind.

“The decision to move on has grown since the summer. Of course, it is with a heavy heart I leave such an exciting company with so many talented colleagues, but the time has come for me to move on to new adventures. This merger is industrially sound and Telia is the best owner to continue our successful journey,” says Gunnar Evensen.

Mark Ivin, currently CFO at GET, will be acting CEO of the company alongside his present role until the merger has been completed during Q1, 2019.

Kcell CEO appointment

Rainer Rathgeber who was appointed CEO of Kcell JSC in July 2018, has decided not to assume his role for personal reasons.

Mansur Khamidov who has been the CEO of Kcell since mid-August 2018, will continue in his role.

Telia Company owns a 60.4 percent direct and indirect stake in Kcell which is listed at the London Stock Exchange and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange.