#London #United Kingdom #United Group #Stan Miller #Libor Voncina

United Group Announces Leadership Changes Following Strategic Refocus

In a significant development for the telecommunications and media sector in Southeastern Europe, United Group BV (UG) has appointed Stan Miller as the new CEO and Libor Voncina as Deputy CEO. This leadership shift comes in the wake of the company's successful sale of its non-EU operations, marking a strategic realignment towards EU markets.

Strategic Shift and New Leadership

The appointment of Stan Miller is a testament to United Group's commitment to strengthening its position in the European market. Miller brings over 30 years of experience in the telecom and media industry, having previously held notable positions such as CEO of KPN Mobile. His deep expertise in managing and scaling businesses in a highly competitive environment positions him well to guide United Group through this new phase.

Libor Voncina, now serving as Deputy CEO, complements Miller's extensive background with his 20+ years of experience in the telecom sector. Voncina has a robust track record that includes leading Telecom Slovenia and KPN Mobile International. His insights into the operational and customer aspects of telecom systems will be vital as the company navigates its strategic goals.

Both executives are stepping into their roles as the company shifts focus away from past operations, reflecting a larger strategy to enhance its footprint in high-growth EU markets. This is also an important transitional period for United Group after the recent sale of its telecom assets outside the EU, which included operations such as SBB and Net TV Plus, fetching a combined enterprise value of €1.5 billion.

Background and Future Outlook

Nikos Stathopoulos, Chairman for Europe at BC Partners, emphasized the transformation of United Group over the past six years. Under the leadership of Dragan Šolak and Victoriya Boklag, the company expanded significantly, quadrupling in size and diversifying its operations. This divestiture process is aimed at streamlining operations and sharpening focus on areas of high potential growth within the EU.

With significant synergies expected from the consolidated business, the company targets to provide comprehensive converged mobile and fixed telecom services across the European landscape. United Group's robust customer base of over 40 million, along with revenues nearing €3 billion, illustrates its strong foothold in the region.

The company, which employs around 15,000 people across eight countries, operates the largest Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network in Southeastern Europe and is investing heavily in expanding its 5G network and services. This focus on the EU is anticipated to yield positive outcomes, both in terms of revenue growth and market consolidation potential.

Acknowledgment of Past Leadership

As United Group moves forward, it expresses gratitude to its outgoing leaders, Dragan Šolak and Victoriya Boklag, for their pivotal roles in building the company's foundation. Their contributions have set the stage for the new leadership team to capitalize on the opportunities present in the fast-evolving telecommunications landscape.

The strategic initiatives led by Miller and Voncina will be watched closely as they implement plans to solidify United Group’s position as a leading telecommunications and media provider in Europe. The emphasis on innovation, customer service, and operational excellence will be crucial as they face the competitive dynamics of the industry head-on.

In conclusion, United Group's new leadership under Stan Miller and Libor Voncina is emblematic of its dedication to growth and its strategic commitment to the European market. As the company embarks on this transformative journey, it aims to harness its resources and capabilities to meet the demands of the modern telecommunications landscape.