Melita this week announced two new appointments in its management team as part of its human resources investment drive.
Andrei Torriani has been appointed managing director of Melita Mobile and chief operations officer of Melita plc, while Michael Maltby has been appointed Melita’s chief financial officer.
Both will be instrumental in helping Melita deliver more value to its customers and further growth of the organisation.
Mr Torriani is a seasoned telecommunications executive with extensive experience in leading successful wireless and wireline telecom operations. He is joining Melita with the initial focus of ensuring that Melita Mobile continues with its success.
He previously served as Telefonica O2 Czech Republic’s vice president in charge of all consumer focused business, covering a portfolio of mobile and wireline voice, broadband and content (IPTV) communications services to over seven million customers, and a P&L responsibility in excess of e2 billion.
Prior to that, Mr Torriani was the chief commercial officer of the company’s mobile communications business (formerly known as Eurotel) until it was merged in July 2006 with the wireline business and rebranded as O2.
As CCO, Mr Torriani led the turnaround in market share and financial performance, as well as playing a key role in the privatisation of the Czech Telecom Group, Eurotel’s parent company, resulting in transfer of control and sale to Telefonica in June 2005 of over 51 per cent of the company for more than e3.1 billion.
In addition to Telefonica, Mr Torriani has worked at leading commercial and technology roles in telecom operators worldwide with the Wataniya (National) Telecom group (Kuwait), Metromedia International Telecommunications (USA and Austria), and Millicom (Luxembourg), where he established a track record of turning around and improving the commercial performance of several telecom operators in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Michael Maltby is a highly respected name in the telecommunications sector. In his role as company CFO, Mr Maltby will be responsible for managing Melita’s Finance Department and ensuring a sound finance operation across all levels of the company.
Mr Maltby has been employed in finance and accounting over the past 14 years, occupying various posts in telecommunications firms such as Cable & Wireless plc, Metromedia International and Star Broadband Ltd among others, with particular experience in broadband internet, cable television and mobile telephony.
Most recently, Mr Maltby was involved in successfully raising funds and developing early stage cutting edge, FTTX (Fibre to the x) and HFC (Hybrid fibre-coaxial) cable television networks in Moscow, Kiev and Minsk. His experience will make him an invaluable addition to ensure that Melita meets its strategic financial objectives. Mr Maltby is a qualified chartered accountant (ICAEW) who trained with Ernst and Young and has degrees from Oxford and Cambridge universities.
Melita recently concluded a e50 million investment programme to enhance its communications network with next generation technology in international connectivity and mobile communication.
Following the investment, Melita is now planning further expansion across its four areas of services (television, internet, fixed-telephony and mobile) by developing powerful new products which will continue to place Melita and the Maltese Islands at the forefront of practical applications of advanced communications and home entertainment technology.
“I am delighted to welcome Andrei and Michael to our Melita team. Both bring considerable experience in their respective fields and will undoubtedly contribute to driving Melita towards further growth across our areas of business. Melita is living through a very exciting period of growth, success and investment and I look forward to Andrei’s and Michael’s contribution in making Melita even more successful and competitive,” commented Melita Chief Executive Officer Stephen Wright.
Melita currently provides cable television services to over 100,000 families and businesses, cable internet to over 50,000 users, over 55,000 fixed telephone lines and mobile communication to more than 25,000 subscribers who joined Melita mobile in the first six months of operation.