Vittorio Colao

Biographical Information
"Vittorio Colao, aged 49, holds a Business Degree cum Laude from Bocconi University and an MBA with Honours from Harvard Business School. He spent the early part of his career working for Morgan Stanley in London, for Mondadori, the Italian publisher, and for McKinsey in Italy. He was a Partner with McKinsey until 1996, working in the media, telecommunications and industrial goods sectors and was also responsible for heading the Finance practice and consultant recruitment.

"Vittorio joined Omnitel Pronto Italia, Italy's second mobile operator, as Chief Operating Officer in 1996. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1999, and Regional CEO, Southern Europe for Vodafone Group Plc in 2001, following the acquisition of the business. He became a member of the Board of Directors of Vodafone Group Plc in 2002 and was subsequently appointed Regional CEO for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa in 2003.

"In 2004, he left Vodafone to become Chief Executive Officer of RCS MediaGroup, the leading Italian publishing company. He returned to Vodafone Group Plc in 2006 as Chief Executive Officer, Europe and Deputy Group CEO, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Vittorio was appointed Chief Executive of Vodafone Group Plc in July 2008.

"Vittorio has been a Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration Committee of RAS Insurance, then listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, and was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of Finmeccanica, the Italian listed defence and aerospace conglomerate. During his tenure at RCS, he was also a member of the Board and the Executive Committee of the European Oncology Institute in Milan.

"Currently, he is a Member of the Board of Fondazione CAF in Milan (a charity active with children under legal protection). In 2009, he was appointed as a member of the International Advisory Council of Bocconi University."

Affiliations

 * Member, India UK CEO Forum