MILAN (Reuters) – A group of directors of Telecom Italia (TIM), including representatives of Vivendi, the largest shareholder of the Italian operator, asked the chairman of the company to call a special meeting to appoint a new CEO, said two sources familiar with the matter.
The board of directors of Telecom Italia last month approved the resignation of Luigi Gubitosi and then declared to continue the process of selecting a new CEO while the American fund KKR wants to buy the Italian group.
Since Luigi Gubitosi’s prerogatives have been split between the boss of TIM Brazil, Pietro Labriola, who has been appointed managing director, and the chairman of TIM, Salvatore Rossi.
A regular meeting of the Italian historical operator is scheduled for January 26.
Pietro Labriola, who has Vivendi’s backing, is the frontrunner to become TIM’s new CEO, sources say.
Telecom Italia and Vivendi did not wish to comment.
(Elvira Pollina report; French version Claude Chendjou)