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Ahmed Essam, whom the British headquarters installed at the German branch as part of the current management change, also acts as Vodafone CEO for the other European countries. Because of his dual role, scene experts believe it is likely that Essam, in his role as “Executive Chairman” – i.e. as “active chairman” – will intervene in the day-to-day business of the new Germany boss: “It seems as if de Groot should take on the role of a COO “but the big decisions are made in London,” says the renowned telecommunications expert John Strand.