Cell C today announced the appointment of Chris Lazarus as the Chief Officer: Sales, Distribution, & Regions, reporting directly to Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C.
With over 30 years of experience in the financial services and telecommunications industries, Chris brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role.
Chris’s distinguished career demonstrates his success in various leadership positions, including his most recent role as the Chief Enterprise Officer at Safaricom Ethiopia, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the telecoms business.
The successful launch of the network in 2022 served a market of 120 million people, marking a significant milestone for Vodacom Group’s expansion into Ethiopia.
Before Chris embarked on his role at Safaricom Ethiopia, he played a pivotal role in shaping Vodacom South Africa’s success story, where he cultivated his expertise in Customer Solutions, Partner Management, Product Development, Go-to-Market Strategies, and Regional Operations.
His journey with Vodacom commenced with overseeing Corporate Sales, and he later transitioned to leading key regions such as Gauteng, Limpopo, and eventually KZN as the Managing Executive. Under his leadership, these regions experienced exceptional growth, maintaining robust market shares, and fostering unwavering customer loyalty.
Particularly noteworthy was his impact in KZN, where Chris spearheaded the expansion of network infrastructure, achieving an impressive 98% 4G population coverage and pioneering the launch of 5G in 2020. His initiatives extended beyond urban areas to rural areas, fortifying the Enterprise business and broadening the brand’s footprint beyond traditional mobile services.
With a solid foundation built on academic achievements, including an MBA from Henley Business School (UK) and completion of the Advanced Executive Programme with the University of South Africa (UNISA), Chris brings a deep understanding of telecoms and a commitment to professional excellence to his new role at Cell C.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to join Cell C as Chief Officer: Sales, Distribution & Regions. Cell C’s dedication to customer centricity and innovation in the telecommunications industry aligns perfectly with my own professional values. I look forward to leveraging my experience and expertise to drive growth, strengthen partnerships, and enhance regional operations to meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders,” said Lazarus.
As Chief Officer: Sales, Distribution & Regions, Chris’ proven track record of success, coupled with his dynamic leadership style and exceptional negotiation skills, position him as a valuable asset to Cell C as the company continues to innovate and expand its presence in the telecommunications market.
“We are delighted to welcome Chris Lazarus to the Cell C team,” said Mendes.
“His extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in driving our sales, distribution, and regional strategies forward, ultimately delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”
Also read: Darius Badenhorst Appointed As Chief Growth Officer At Cell C
Cell C today announced it has appointed Darius Badenhorst to the role of Chief Growth Officer, effective February 2024.
His exceptional track record and 14 years’ experience in Financial Services and Telecommunications bring a new level of ability to propel Cell C’s growth and innovation strategies.
As Chief Growth Officer, Badenhorst will be responsible for overseeing crucial areas of business development, customer retention, and customer relationship management throughout the value chain and lifecycle to further accelerate growth.
Badenhorst joins Cell C from Vodacom after a decade of service, where he excelled across multiple roles within the commercial and finance teams. His successful endeavours underscore his ability to drive growth through innovative strategies and platforms. He started his career at Bridge Loans (Pty) Ltd, where he played a pivotal role in setting up the Analytical and Business Reporting environment.
