Telkom names strategy chief

Telkom GCEO Sipho Maseko has announced the appointment of Dr Miriam Altman as Head of Strategy of Telkom Group with effect from 1 June 2013.

Dr Altman will support the development and execution of Telkom’s strategy and will report directly to the GCEO.

Dr Altman was an Executive Director at the HSRC from 2002 2010, where she played a leading role in its transformation and established its highly influential work on employment. She is a member of the National Planning Commission and will continue to serve on the NPC.

‚”The appointment of a seasoned executive with strategy and policy development experience is another building block in Telkom’s turnaround process,‚” said Mr Maseko. ‚”This supports the recent appointment of Dr Brian Armstrong as the Chief Operating Officer and enhances the expertise of our leadership team.‚”

‚”Telkom is in the process of reviewing its strategy to ensure that it delivers on its mandate and restores its financial health. The objective of Telkom’s turnaround is to deliver sustainable performance. Several areas of the business are under review, and a coordinated set of initiatives are already underway.

‚”Going forward, this strategy will require a strong leadership team with the ability to ensure performance and execution and gain the support of all its stakeholders. We believe that Dr Altman will be able to contribute towards achieving that objective.‚”

Mr Maseko said Dr Altman was a strong strategic leader, and has vast experience in leading a range of policy processes on behalf of the public and private sectors, mostly focused on industrial strategy, labour markets, and employment creation.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Altman said: ‚”Telkom is a national asset and has a lot to offer all South Africans, including its shareholders. I am excited to be joining the company and look forward to contribute meaningfully towards its turnaround.‚”

Dr Altman has a BA in economics from McGill University, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in economics from the University of Manchester.

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