South African mobile operator Cell C has announced the appointment of Chris Lazarus as its new chief officer for sales, distribution, and regions. In his new role, Lazarus will report directly to CEO Jorge Mendes. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services and telecommunications industries, Lazarus brings expertise and leadership to the position.
Before joining Cell C, Lazarus held various leadership positions, including his most recent role as chief enterprise officer of Safaricom Ethiopia, where he played a crucial role in establishing the telecoms business. The successful launch of the network in 2022 served a market of 120 million people, marking a major milestone for the Vodacom Group’s expansion into Ethiopia.
Lazarus has also previously worked at Vodacom SA, where he cultivated his expertise in customer solutions, partner management, product development, go-to-market strategies, and regional operations. Under his leadership, key regions such as Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal experienced growth, robust market share, and customer loyalty. Lazarus spearheaded the expansion of network infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal, achieving 98% 4G population coverage and the launch of 5G in 2020.
According to Cell C, Lazarus brings a deep understanding of telecoms and a commitment to professional excellence to his new role. He holds an MBA from Henley Business School and has completed the Advanced Executive Programme with the University of South Africa. Lazarus is excited to join the Cell C team, citing the company’s dedication to customer-centricity and innovation in the telecommunications industry as being in line with his professional values.
Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C, expressed his delight at Lazarus’ appointment, stating that his extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in driving the company’s sales, distribution, and regional strategies forward.
