Vodafone extends CEO Marcel de Groot’s contract, appoints Michael Bird as Finance Director
June 27, 2026 12.21 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

Vodafone Deutschland has extended the contract of CEO Marcel de Groot by three years, while also appointing Michael Bird as its new Managing Director and Finance Director from 1 September 2026.

The decision was approved by the Supervisory Board. Board Chairman Rüdiger Grube credited de Groot with steering the operator through a challenging market environment, restoring revenue growth and establishing a clear plan for the company’s future development.

Bird will succeed Carmen Velthuis, who will step down from her role on 31 August after 11 years with the company. Velthuis has led the finance division in Germany since March 2022 and played a key role in the company’s transformation programme, strategic projects and simplification initiatives, according to Vodafone. Prior to joining the German management team, she served as CFO of Vodafone Netherlands and later CFO of Vodafone’s EU Cluster markets.

De Groot said: “Carmen Velthuis has led the Finance division and the entire Team Red through challenging times with competence, confidence and sound judgement over the past four years. She has made our company simpler and stronger for the future. I would like to thank her for her steady leadership, foresight and clear assessments. I wish Carmen all the very best for the future.”

“With Michael, we are gaining an experienced international finance executive who knows Vodafone and its markets extremely well thanks to his many years with the company. I look forward to shaping Vodafone’s future successfully together with him.”

Bird has been with the Vodafone Group since October 2015. He initially served as an executive in Group Mergers & Acquisitions before becoming Group Mergers & Acquisitions Director in 2019. Since May 2024, he has held the position of CFO of Vodafone Investments, where he has focused on strengthening cross-functional collaboration on strategic initiatives.

Bird has worked closely with the German operation in his current role and will report directly to de Groot as a member of Vodafone Deutschland’s management board when he takes up his new position in September.