Batelco, a leading regional telecom group based in Bahrain, has appointed Muna Al Hashemi as Batelco Bahrain’s CEO.

Al Hashemi was appointed as acting CEO for the Bahrain operation in December 2014. She is the first lady to hold the leadership role of a telecommunications company in the GCC region.

The announcement follows the publication of Batelco Group’s half year 2015 Financial Results. The Group posted half year profits of BD27.5 million ($72.9 million), an increase of 11 per cent year on year.

Prior to taking on the role of acting CEO, Al Hashemi was Batelco’s Consumer Division general manager since 2008.  With a Master’s degree in Telecommunications and a BSc in Electronic Engineering, Muna joined Batelco in 1994.

Al Hashemi is also a board director at Umniah, Batelco Group’s operation in Jordan.

Batelco chairman Shaikh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa stated that Al Hashemi is assured of the ongoing support of the Board of Directors and also the full support of the Bahrain executive team to assist her in delivering key targets and meet the various goals as outlined in Batelco Bahrain’s strategy.

Batelco Group A/CEO Ihab Hinnawi said: “The Board’s decision is based on Muna’s excellent achievements since December 2014 as Acting CEO, and also on her long and successful career with Batelco since joining as a graduate in 1994.”

“Muna’s achievement is also testament to Batelco’s excellent programmes for development and promotion and to the company’s equal opportunities for both ladies and gentlemen,” Hinnawi added.

Batelco has units in 14 territories including Jordan, Kuwait and Yemen and several small islands such as Jersey and the Isle of Man. – TradeArabia News Service