DTAC chief resigns
SRISAMORN PHOOSUPHANUSORN

DTAC, the country's second largest mobile operator, yesterday announced the resignation of CEO Sigve Brekke and the appointment of Tore Johnsen as the new CEO, effective from Sept 1.

Mr Brekke, a high-profile marketer, will become the CEO of Telenor Asia on Sept 1, succeeding Arve Johansen. He will also become a senior executive vice-president of the Norway-based Telenor Group and a board director of DTAC.

Mr Brekke will oversee Telenor's four Asian units _ in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand _ with a combined 65 million subscribers, from Telenor Asia headquarters in Bangkok.

Mr Brekke burst into tears after announcing his resignation at what he called ''an emotional meeting'' yesterday with 400 management executives.

''DTAC is now ready for it [not having me], given the strong management team, market share and financial health,'' he said. ''I'm still with DTAC and still live in Thailand. I just got a new job with greater responsibility.''

Mr Brekke has served the company as a director since September 2000 and as co-CEO from November 2002.

Mr Brekke said he and Boonchai Bencharongkul of the former founding family and now the DTAC chairman, hand-picked Mr Johnsen together based on his strong telecom background and third-generation (3G) trial experience.

He said that DTAC needed to have an internationally qualified CEO because the company was at a turning point in terms of 3G, new investment and business direction.

Mr Johnsen, CEO of Telenor Pakistan since August 2004, has 30 years of experience in the Telenor Group. He led Telenor Pakistan from the number six to the number two position with move 19 million subscribers in only four years.

Mr Brekke also denied rumours that his departure was linked to internal conflicts, saying the resignation was ''my decision''. He said there would be no big internal changes in the top team following his exit.

Mr Brekke said he would aggressively expand new operations in Asia, and is looking at Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines as investment opportunities.

DTAC shares closed yesterday on the SET at 49.25 baht, down 75 satang, in trade worth 62.8 million baht.

Bangkok Post