9^th of January 2025

Brussels, 9 January 2025 ecta’s Board of Directors elected Valentin Popoviciu, Chief Strategy & Operating Officer and Executive Director of DIGI Communications N.V. (DIGI Group) as new Chairman of the Board.

Valentin Popoviciu succeeds Neven Dilkov who served as Chairman for the last four years.

“I am honoured to take the helm at this critical moment for the EU. Never have competitive digital markets been so instrumental in unleashing the innovation potential across all sectors of the EU economy, thereby guaranteeing Europe’s global competitiveness. A diversified electronic communications sector, embracing a multitude of participants - both large and small - and nurturing a diverse array of efficiently delivered and best quality products and services is therefore essential. I will continue to work to promote the principles of the organisation: ecta has always defended competition as a prerequisite and enabler for competitiveness", stated Valentin Popoviciu, ecta’s new Chairman.

Outgoing Chairman Neven Dilkov remarked: “I am proud to have been the Chairman during such very energetic and challenging times for the association. With Valentin, I am full of confidence that, ecta's leadership will ensure that it continues advancing the cause of competition that drives both innovation and investment for the benefit of consumers, enterprises, and society at large, thus contributing to Europe's global competitiveness.”

In addition to Valentin Popoviciu, ecta also welcomes Ingrid Malfait-Guilbaud, EU Affairs Director at Iliad Group, as a new Board Director and announces the re-election of Anna Bigot, Deputy Director of European Affairs, Bouygues Europe, for a second term at the Ordinary General Meeting held on 12 December 2024.

Commenting the elections, ecta Director General Luc Hindryckx said: “I am delighted with the strong and continued support of our telecom operator members and national associations, who represent a substantial part of the telecom sector, making significant investments in VHC networks and showcasing unique innovation capabilities. They testify to the success of the European model and its ex-ante regulatory framework. This reinforces our efforts to advance competition, essential for Europe’s global competitiveness".

ecta and the Board of Directors wish to express their deep gratitude to Neven Dilkov for his dedication and constructive leadership, and to Maxime Lombardini and Pablo Freire, whose terms of office as Board Directors have come to an end, for their commitment and valuable contributions.

The members of the ecta Board as from 1 January 2025 are:

• Mr Valentin Popoviciu, Chief Strategy & Operating Officer and Executive Director of DIGI Communications N.V. (DIGI Group) - Chairman;
• Ms Anna Bigot, Deputy Director of European affairs, Bouygues Europe;
• Mr Cem Çelebiler, CEO, Turknet;
• Mr Barney Lane, Vice President Regulatory and Government Affairs, Colt Technology Services.
• Ms Ingrid Malfait-Guilbaud, EU affairs Director, Iliad Group;
• Dr Marc Schütze, Vice President Regulation, Group United Internet and 1&1, and 1&1 Versatel;
• Mr Roel van Kessel, Head of Regulatory & Public Affairs, Eurofiber – Treasurer.

For more information, please read the press release.