Vodafone UK to get new CEO

Vodafone UK is to get a new chief executive, following a reshuffle within the operator group.

Nick Read, the current CEO of Vodafone UK, will take the corresponding role in the company's newly redefined Asia-Pacific and Middle East division, Vodafone announced on Monday. He will be replaced as CEO in the UK by Guy Laurence [pictured], who currently has that role at Vodafone Netherlands.

Vodafone's current CEO for the Middle East and Africa division, Morten Lundal, will take on the rejigged Central Europe and Africa portfolio. Lundal and Read will both report directly to Vodafone's ultimate CEO, Vittoria Colao.

Read, who has been with Vodafone since 2001, became chief of Vodafone UK in early 2006.

Laurence has been with the operator group even longer — since 2000 — and used to head up the company's Vizzavi mobile-internet venture. His replacement at the helm of Vodafone Netherlands has not yet been found.

Vodafone's redefining of its regional groups is designed, according to Monday's statement, to "provide greater focus on [Vodafone's] higher-growth markets." The senior management changes will take effect on 1 January, 2009, a spokesperson told ZDNet.co.uk.