Vodafone AU reshuffles executive team

After five years with Vodafone Australia, director -- brand and people, Debbie Howcroft will join the human resources team at Vodafone Group in the UK, while Ian Scherger, chief marketing officer, will be leaving Australia in June 2005 to return to New Zealand.

David White will move into a new role as executive director from April 1 where he will focus on corporate governance of Vodafone's Australian business.

"Given the significant achievements of the past few years, the timing is right for people within Vodafone to step up, lead and grow not only in Australia, but in roles around the world," Grahame Maher said.

Maher added that Vodafone Australia will be "looking internally as well as externally" to fill all of the new positions. "However, to support the business and its people in the transition period, long handover periods have been factored in," Maher said.

Maher added that all the changes are part of the "planned succession and development" of Vodafone within Australia as well as globally.