- Merger Approved: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) cleared the Vodafone-Three merger in December 2024, subject to legally binding commitments.
- Leadership Appointments: Max Taylor, CEO of Vodafone UK and the future merged entity, has appointed a new General Management Team.
What happened: Vodafone and Three announce new leadership team
The merger between Vodafone and Three UK has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of the new leadership team for the combined entity, known temporarily as “MergeCo.” The CMA approved the merger in December 2024, subject to several behavioural remedies aimed at ensuring competition and protecting consumers.
These remedies include capping selected mobile tariffs for three years and offering pre-set prices for wholesale services. The new leadership team, appointed by Max Taylor, CEO of Vodafone UK and the future merged entity, includes key figures such as Darren Purkis as CFO, Kelly Barlow for Strategy and Portfolio, and Clare Corkish for HR.
The team will transition into their roles once the merger is fully complete, which is expected in the coming months. Until then, both Vodafone UK and Three UK will continue to operate separately.
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Why it’s important
The merger between Vodafone and Three UK is a significant development in the UK telecommunications landscape. It aims to create the largest mobile network in the country, with a combined investment of £11 billion to upgrade the UK’s 5G infrastructure.
The new leadership team will play a crucial role in integrating the two companies and delivering on the commitment to build a superior network for customers. The CMA’s approval, subject to behavioural remedies, ensures that competition is maintained and consumer interests are protected.
This merger also addresses the spectrum imbalance in the UK market through a network sharing deal with Virgin Media O2.
