Vodafone Group recently made a significant leadership change. The company has announced the appointment of Microsoft veteran, Pilar López, as their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). López steps into the role previously held by Luka Mucic, who served as CFO for approximately two years and will soon transition to CEO of Vonovia, a real estate development company, by the end of November.
Pilar López brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in both the telecom and technology sectors. She has spent over a decade at Microsoft, handling various high-profile roles. Her experience includes being the chief operating officer for Western Europe and the country lead for Spain. Most recently, she was Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, where she orchestrated Microsoft’s relationship with the London Stock Exchange Group. Moreover, López is no stranger to telecommunications, having dedicated 16 years at Telefonica before her tenure at Microsoft.
This strategic move by Vodafone is indicative of their focus on blending technological expertise with telecommunications insights. Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone’s chief executive, has warmly welcomed López’s appointment. “I am delighted that Pilar will be joining Vodafone in October. She has deep-rooted knowledge of both the telecoms and technology sectors, across a range of international leadership positions.”
López herself expressed enthusiasm for her return to the telecommunications sector. She shared her sentiments in a LinkedIn post, “I am thrilled to be going back to the telecommunication industry and to finance at this pivotal time, and join Vodafone, a company and a brand I have always admired. I would like to thank Margherita Della Valle and the Board for confidence, and look forward to joining the team in October.”
The decision to appoint a technology-savvy leader such as López could potentially guide Vodafone through the increasingly interconnected dynamics of modern telecommunications and technology. As the boundaries between telecom and tech continue to blur, leaders with an understanding of both arenas are increasingly pivotal to driving growth and innovation. However, with this new appointment, there are inherent challenges as well. Aligning Lopez’s vision with existing corporate strategies may require adjustments across various divisions within Vodafone.
López assumes her new responsibilities on October 1, 2025, with a formal confirmation on December 1, 2025. Reports suggest that her remuneration package includes a base salary of £725,000, with potential bonuses up to 200%.