Vodafone Group Plc has announced that Christine Ramon will be appointed as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Christine is one of Africa’s most senior female business executives, having recently been CFO of two of South Africa’s leading businesses.
Christine, a qualified chartered accountant, served as a Non-Executive Director of the International Federation of Accountants, the global organisation for the accountancy profession. Prior to this, Christine served as a Non-Executive Director at MTN, the South African telecommunications company with a market capitalisation of £15 billion, and cement business Lafarge, until its merger with Holcim. Before that, Christine was a Non-Executive Director at Transnet, the South African rail, port and pipeline company.
Until June 2022, Christine was CFO of AngloGold Ashanti, the gold mining company with a market capitalisation of £5 billion. She originally joined the company as CFO in 2014 and oversaw a strong improvement in operational performance and a cost-reduction programme to help reduce the business’s net debt. Prior to that, Christine was CFO of Sasol, the South African energy and chemicals company with a market capitalisation of £17 billion. She was a key change agent for Sasol’s cultural transformation, which involved redefining the group’s operating model as well as streamlining its structures and processes.
Total shareholder return improved by 93% while Christine was CFO at AngloGold Ashanti, and by 153% during her tenure as CFO at Sasol.
Before joining Sasol, Christine was CEO at Johnnic Holdings – the investment holding company with interests in media, entertainment and telecommunications – and she also worked at Pepsi as a Financial Controller.
Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of Vodafone, said:
“I am delighted that Christine will be joining Vodafone’s Board. She brings extensive Africa market experience, good commercial acumen and will further supplement the Board’s financial expertise. As Vodafone continues its simplification into the largest pan-European and African connectivity and digital services provider, Christine’s strategic insights will be an excellent addition to our Board discussions.”
Christine Ramon commented:
“It is an honour to be invited to join the Board of Vodafone. I am greatly looking forward to working with Jean-Francois and the board to support Nick and the executive team to successfully drive the strategy forward.”
