Airtel Africa has appointed Carl Cruz, the outgoing managing director of consumer goods company Unilever West Africa, as the new chief executive of its Nigerian unit.
Mr. Cruz, who gave up the top position at Unilever Nigeria
on 4 May, resumes his new role on 5 May.
He replaces C Surendran and will simultaneously hold the
role of regional operating director of the telecom operator reporting to the
CEO of Airtel Africa, according to a statement.
“He was a board member in the role of executive director in
Unilever Nigeria Plc and a non–executive director in the board of Unilever
Ghana representing Unilever as a shareholder. His experience spans more than
three decades in companies in Africa and Asia,” the statement said.
He is a graduate of University of De La Salle, Philippines,
with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing management. His immediate past position
involved overseeing Unilever’s listed national subsidiaries in Ghana, Nigeria
and French-speaking African countries.
Before then, he chaired and led Unilever Sri Lanka alongside
holding senior positions at Unilever’s operations in Hindustan and Philippines.
“He has a solid record of accomplishment as a strategic and
transformational business leader who thrives on problem-solving and building
strong teams to deliver business growth,” said Segun Ogunsanya, the CEO of
Airtel Africa.
Mr. Cruz has operated in managerial, directional and
strategic capacities in areas including sales, trade development, commercial
engagement, customer and brand development as well as distribution.