Veon poaches StarHub’s consumer chief as new Banglalink CEO

Veon Group has appointed Singapore-based operator StarHub’s consumer chief, Johan Buse (pictured), as the new CEO of its Banglalink unit, in a move to accelerate its digital expansion in emerging markets.

Buse brings decades of telecoms experience, having worked for Deutsche Telekom in the Netherlands and Croatia, followed by senior roles at AXIS, SingTel, and the Ooredoo Group, where he served as chief commercial officer of Ooredoo Oman.

He spent over six years at StarHub as chief of its Consumer Business Group.

Buse will assume his new role at Banglalink on 6 April, replacing outgoing chief Erik Aas, who is leaving after nine years at the helm to pursue new opportunities.

Veon Group CEO Kaan Terzioğlu said Buse’s extensive experience makes him “well-positioned to accelerate our digital expansion and our contributions to the growth of the Bangladesh economy.”

Terzioğlu added that under Aas’s leadership, Banglalink became a nationwide operator, delivering market-defining digital services.

Commenting on his appointment, Buse described Bangladesh as a market “filled with customer-focused, value-creating opportunities.”

“As Bangladesh goes through a historic period of change, transforming the country’s digital landscape by equipping its people with highly demanded digital and connectivity services is more important than ever,” he added.