Female executives complement Batelco's leadership team

"Innovation and challenging the norm is critical to our future success," said Batelco Chief Executive Peter Kaliaropoulos.

"Batelco is proud to have the highest level of Bahranisation in the industry and across many large companies in Bahrain. Batelco is also proud that 25% of their workforce are ladies and that a high proportion of them hold executive roles, leading various critical and complex functions," he said.

"Diversity in experiences, lateral thinking, entrepreneurship, professionalism and articulate communication skills are in abundance across our female executives," Mr. Kaliaropoulos added.

Batelco Group Human Resources General Manager Sh. Ahmed Al Khalifa said that all Batelco's senior managers contributed to the Company's record success in 2007 with notable contributions from female executives.

Among the number of promotions and appointments of female executives announced to replenish Batelco's managerial expertise and leadership, are the following:-

Nadia Hussain has been appointed as General Manager of Corporate Affairs effective from 1st April 2008. Ms. Hussain was previously with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) as Board Secretary. She brings with her a wealth of commercial and industry experience gained with leading Bahraini companies.

Suhaila Alnowakhda has been promoted to the role of Senior Manager Human Resources Bahrain. Ms. Alnowakhda has been with Batelco for 16 years and has held various roles in the Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Departments.
Reem Al Tajer has recently been promoted to the position of Senior Manager Group Treasury, following roles in Audit and Finance.

Maha Al Zayani, who has been with Batelco since 1990, has been appointed to the role of Senior Manager Business Excellence and Cost Leadership.
Leema Sangoor, whose most recent role was Manager Costing Reporting, has been promoted to the post of Senior Manager Costing and Regulatory Accounting.

Kataryna Stapleton, who joined Batelco in 2006 to lead a number of transformation initiatives to drive improved efficiencies, has recently been appointed as Chief Financial Officer for Bahrain operations.

Bernadette Baynie, with Batelco since 2007, has been promoted to General Counsel for Legal and Regulatory Affairs for the Batelco Group of companies.

Mr. Kaliaropoulos said that a company's success or failure greatly depends on the quality and depth of expertise of their executive leadership teams.

"We are immensely proud that we have a wealth of talented female executives in our company, and that the number of them in senior roles continues to rise. A significant number of female employees are also being groomed to become Batelco's future leaders across the company," he added.

Shaikh Ahmed added that Batelco provides equal opportunities to its ladies throughout the year, not only to mark such occasions as International Women's Day.

"We encourage our female staff to avail of the many training & development opportunities provided by the Company and additionally hold regular specialised events for them," he said.

In line with this commitment, Dr. Banna Buzaboon, who is the President & Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, gave a presentation on the Empowerment of Women, at Batelco's Hamala Headquarters, March 13th.