However, the Group CEO appointment is yet to be made by the Group since the slot fell vacant after the resignation of Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa in May last.
Bateleco Group with operations across 14 countries, on Tuesday said the executive search for a new Group CEO was ongoing with the process well underway and proceeding according to plan.
Taking over the role of Group CFO is Faisal Qamhiyah, who has held the position as Chief Financial Officer for Batelco Bahrain operations since January 2013. Prior to joining the Batelco Bahrain team Qamhiyah held the position of CFO of Batelco’s Jordan subsidiary, Umniah. He brings to the table a wealth of knowledge with unique mixes of commercial and financial hands-on proven experience coupled with passion toward the telecom industry.
Previously he had served with distinction as advisor to the Board of Directors, CEO, CFO, COO and as Marketable Securities Fund Manager in various companies. Among his earlier roles are the positions of Finance Director / CFO, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Zain Jordan.
His experience also includes the role of Group Internal Auditor EDGO Group and Investments Director / Capital Markets at Ern Capital.
Qamhiyah holds a BA in Economics & Accounting from Yarmouk University Jordan, USA and a CPA from Delaware USA. He also completed the Executive Development Programme (EDP) at Kellogg School of Management, Chicago USA and various executive leadership programmes at prestigious institutes including the Harvard Business School and London Business School. Faisal is Co-founder and Board of Directors’ member of Jordan Association of Management Accountants (JAMA).
At Batelco Bahrain, Sameer Altaf, has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Altaf joined Batelco in 2008 to lead the financial control function for Batelco Group and Bahrain, and has held a number of key roles within the financial division including most recently, the post of Group Financial Controller.
Altaf has held senior financial and risk management roles in Orascom Telecom and Kinnevik AB with a focus on telecoms, media and technology. He is a qualified chartered accountant having trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers and additionally, he has completed several Leadership and Management courses from institutions such as Harvard and MIT.
Batelco Chairman Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa on behlf of the board and executive management wished Qamhiyah and Altaf well as they take on their challenging new roles.
“Both gentlemen have proven records of achievement having served in key senior financial roles within the Batelco Group for some time. We are confident that they have the necessary credentials to meet the stringent criteria required for their respective roles,” he added.