As Vodafone and Three agree merger, who is Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle?

Although the deal is yet to be approved by regulators, it has been reported that one has been struck by Vodafone and the owner of Three UK. The BBC have reported that “The firms plan to merge their UK-based operations, giving them around 27 million customers and making it the biggest mobile network in the UK.”

When it comes to the merger, Vodafone will own 51% of the new business whilst the owner of Three UK, CK Hutchison will control the remaining stake.

Margherita Della Valle took the job as chief executive of Vodafone in December of last year but she was confirmed in the role in April 2023. According to reports, she was believed to have been awarded a pay and bonus package worth up to £10m. However, according to The Guardian, “a spokesperson said ‘stretching targets’ mean her actual remuneration is likely to be similar to that received by her predecessor, who was paid £4.2m last year and £3.5m in 2021.”

Last month, CEO Margherita Della Valle revealed plans to ‘simplify’ the company and set out plans to cut 11,000 jobs. It is thought that additional jobs cuts will take place within five years if the merger is approved by regulators.

The cut-throat plan for job losses comes after months of financial difficulties for the telecom giant, which saw the previous boss Nick Read step down in December 2022 when he failed to reverse the 40%-plus decline in share prices.

PeopleWorld takes a look at who the lady is in charge of Vodafone

Who is Vodafone's Margherita Della Valle?

Margherita Della Valle is an Italian businesswoman who has been a part of the Vodafone brand for nearly 30 years after picking up work at ‘Omnitel Pronto Italia’ (later Vodafone Italy) post-graduation.

The now-CEO graduated with a master’s degree in economics from Bocconi University and served as the Chief Financial Officer for Vodafone Italy between 2004 and 2007 ahead of her promotion as the telecom giant’s overall Deputy Financial Officer.

In April 2023, Della Valle became the company’s first female CEO.