PARIS-Sol Trujillo will step down as chief executive officer of Orange S.A., and Sanjiv Ahuja, currently Orange’s chief operating officer, will replace him. Trujillo plans to return to the United States to pursue business interests and will maintain links with Orange by serving as special adviser to Thierry Breton, chairman of France Telecom S.A. and Orange.
Trujillo was appointed CEO in February 2003. “This has been a period of challenge, of achievement and one that I have enjoyed to the full. I am proud that we have been able to bring together a team that is making a great business stronger, giving it the structures and organization it lacked, injecting new blood and providing renewed purpose and direction,” said Trujillo. “Having achieved the goals we set with Thierry when I joined as CEO, the moment has come to pass the baton to Sanjiv, who will now lead Orange to what I’m sure will be new levels of success.”
John Allwood, head of Orange U.K. operations, and Didier Quillot, head of Orange France operations, will join Ahuja on the France Telecom executive committee.
