Petter-B Furberg

Mobile operator Grameenphone has appointed Petter-B Furberg as the company's interim chief executive, effective from November 1, replacing Rajeev Sethi.

In his new role, 49-year-old Furberg will also serve as a member of Telenor Group's executive management team.

Sethi's new assignment is not clear yet, but Grameenphone said he would pursue new opportunities. Sethi has been the CEO of Grameenphone since November 2014.

Furberg is the senior vice president for Telenor Digital Businesses, based in Bangkok. Prior to the new appointment, Furberg served Telenor Myanmar as CEO for three years, Grameenphone said in a statement yesterday.

He joined Telenor in 1998, and later served the company in a number of executive positions, including chief financial officer and chief marketing officer of DTAC, Thailand, and head of financial services at Telenor Group.

Furberg holds a degree in economics and business administration from the Norwegian School of Economics and he is also a Certified European Financial Analyst.

The Board of Directors of Grameenphone will now initiate a process to identify a permanent solution for the CEO position, the company said.

In his parting comments, Sethi wrote on his Facebook page: "Over the last two years I have had the humbling experience of leading a team that is full of passion, energy, and knows no bounds."

"Today I am proud to leave behind a successful company as I say goodbye to#Grameenphone. Together we have opened a new chapter in GP's history, and am really happy to see Petter-B come in as my successor. GP will always have a special place in my heart."