Bangkok’s True Corp Appoints New CEO to Lead Growth
Veteran executive Sigve Brekke has been appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of True Corporation, Thailand’s second-largest telecommunications provider. Announced on Tuesday, this appointment places Mr. Brekke at the forefront of strategic direction for all telecommunications and digital businesses under the True Corporation umbrella, a flagship of the influential Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group. Mr. Brekke brings extensive experience, having cultivated a deep understanding of the Thai market during his tenure at DTAC, before leading its parent company, the Telenor Group, in Norway.
This leadership change follows the successful merger between True and DTAC two years ago. The merger solidified True Corp’s market position, creating a telecommunications powerhouse with a 54% market share and approximately 54 million subscribers across the True Move H and DTAC brands. Advanced Info Service (AIS) holds the remaining market share.
The restructuring also includes other key leadership appointments. Manat Manavutiveth, the former CEO, transitions to President/CEO for Enterprise and Data Business. In this role, Mr. Manavutiveth will spearhead the company’s digital transformation across its core digital platforms, TrueVisions, and enterprise solutions. This reflects True Corporation’s ambition to adapt to evolving global digital trends.
Simultaneously, Sharad Mehrotra, previously Deputy CEO, becomes President/CEO for Consumer Business. Mr. Mehrotra will oversee mobile business and customer service operations, ensuring continued growth and customer satisfaction.
True Corp Chairman Suphachai Chearavanont praised the previous leadership team for successfully navigating the True-DTAC merger and building a strong foundation for future growth. He stated that Mr. Brekke’s appointment marks a crucial next step in the company’s evolution.
Mr. Brekke’s return to Thailand, at age 65, is a homecoming of sorts. He previously played a pivotal role in shaping DTAC’s mobile business strategy, gaining invaluable insights into the Thai market. Following the True-DTAC merger, he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Telecom and Digital Business Group at CP Group, effective March 1st of this year. This dual role underscores the importance of his leadership and experience, with responsibilities spanning True Corporation and CP Group’s broader telecommunications and digital operations across Thailand and Southeast Asia. He reports directly to Mr. Suphachai, Chief Executive of CP Group.
Mr. Brekke’s appointment signals a new chapter for True Corporation. His deep understanding of the Thai market, coupled with his international experience at Telenor Group, positions him to navigate the competitive landscape and drive the company’s growth strategy in the rapidly evolving digital era. This strategic leadership appointment points to a strong focus on innovation and expansion, promising significant developments for True Corporation and the Thai telecommunications sector.
