Ex-Proximus CEO Leroy becomes Deutsche Telekom Europe chief

Former Proximus CEO Dominique Leroy is to join the board of Deutsche Telekom’s as head of the latter’s Europe segment – referring to countries within Europe outside Germany – from November 1.

Dominique Leroy

Leroy succeeds Srini Gopalan, who will assume responsibility for Deutsche Telekom’s Germany segment at the same time.

Leroy was CEO of Belgium operator Proximus from 2015 until last year, and was credited with leading the company back to growth.

She resigned to take up the reins at KPN in the Netherlands but the Dutch company was forced to part company with her before she took up her role after she become the subject of a probe over share dealings that took place ahead of her appointment being announced when she was still in charge at Proximus.

The investigation also forced Leroy to leave Proximus earlier than planned, on September 20.

Ulrich Lehner, chairman of the supervisory board of Deutsche Telekom, said: “With Dominique Leroy, an experienced manager is strengthening the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom. She brings with her the necessary expertise to continue the successful work of Srini Gopalan. The Supervisory Board is pleased about the increased internationality and diversity on the Deutsche Telekom Board of Management.”

Timotheus Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom: “We won’t stop. We are looking forward to working with Dominique in the Board team. She has over 30 years of experience in the consumer goods and telecommunications industry and knows our industry like the back of her hand. I appreciate her strong market and customer orientation. She stands for growth. I know Dominique Leroy from many meetings in Brussels. There she will also provide us with very good support in our political and regulatory work.”

Leroy said: “I am looking forward to the new challenge and am extremely pleased to join a strong team at the Board of Directors of Deutsche Telekom. I want to bring my experience to further grow the Europe segment and contribute to the overall Group strategy.”