Multinational telecommunications company Altice has reshuffled its senior management team, with Dexter Goei set to replace Patrick Drahi as president.
Altice, which has a significant presence in the sports media market, announced the reorganisation of its group management structure ahead of the closing of the acquisition of US cable television provider Cablevision yesterday (Tuesday) by its Altice USA division.
Goei has been appointed with immediate effect as chairman and chief executive of Altice USA. He has stepped down as chief executive of Altice in order to focus his leadership on the successful integration of Cablevision and US cable broadband provider Suddenlink within Altice and the further development of Altice USA. Goei will also replace Drahi (pictured) as president of Altice and continue to lead the company’s global mergers and acquisitions-related activities.
As founder and controlling shareholder of Altice, Drahi will continue to set out the strategic, operational and technological agenda for the group. To this effect, Drahi will lead the newly formed Altice Group Advisory Council.
Michel Combes has been appointed with immediate effect as chief executive of Altice. He will continue his day-to-day responsibilities for the Altice Group and have all operating affiliates, country chief executives and corporate functions report to him. Combes will lead Altice's executive committee having previously served as chief operating officer.
Commenting on the changes, Drahi said: “I am extremely excited about our US business which is accounting for approximately 40 per cent of our group and offers huge development opportunities. Dexter exemplifies the entrepreneurial and commercial spirit of Altice and will provide the same vital leadership to our US business he displayed when building the Altice Group in the last eight years with me.
“Since joining us last year, Michel has been instrumental in structuring and harmonising our operations and strengthening our management teams across the board. I am very pleased to work with him in his new role as the Altice Group embarks on its next phase of development. I look with full confidence into the future: the Altice Group has never been in a stronger position.”
Altice’s purchase of Cablevision, the leading communications service provider in the New York metropolitan area, has formed Altice USA, the No.4 cable operator in the US.