Leo appoints interim CEO

Leo, the second mobile operator in Namibia, has appointed Stanley Similo, as the company’s interim CEO with effect from 11 April.
Similo will lead Leo as the interim CEO together with a solid and sound senior management team with dedicated staff during the transition sales process into the next phase, Michael Meeser, chairman of Leo’s board of directors, said in a statement.
Similo previously worked for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation in various roles, the Road Fund Administration, the Skorpion Zinc Mine as well as for FNB Holdings Limited as group head of human resources and was successful in transforming the entity into one of Namibia’s leading banks.
When Leo (then known as Cell One) came into being, Similo was appointed and served as the executive: Human Capital Management for Namibia’s second cellular network and was tasked with setting up and managing the human resources elements of the business.
Before being appointed as interim CEO for Leo, his role was that of chief officer of HR, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs. As an executive member of Leo, Similo has been exposed to all facets of the telecoms industry in Namibia for the past five years.
Gerhard May, the outgoing CEO has successfully managed to assist in making sure the sales process of Powercom is well on track and is now moving on to attend to other matters in his professional life.
“The appointment of Stanley Similo will ensure that Leo maintains the necessary continuity in order to bring communications to all Namibians,” Meeser stated.
“The Board highly appreciates and acknowledges Gerhard May’s indispensable efforts to make Leo a formidable business entity in Namibia. His excellent analytical and organisational skills have paved the way for the next phase of Leo’s aggressive growth,” he said.
“We are confident that under Similo’s leadership, Leo will continue to enhance the cellular communications industry in Namibia,” stated Meeser.
“I am very excited about the new challenge even though in an interim capacity and appreciate the confidence which the board of directors has shown in me. I have been a part of a dedicated executive management team which has built a strong foundation for the company. I am therefore assured that I will be able to continue with the same spirit of commitment and support moving into the future,” said Similo.