Vimpelcom has appointed Maximo Ibarra to head up its Italian business.

Mr Ibarra has been appointed as Wind Telecomunicazioni's chief executive, a role he will take up next Friday.

Mr Ibarra has extensive experience of working in the telecommunications industry and takes up Wind's chief executive role having served as its consumer business unit head.

Jo Lunder, Vimpelcom chief executive, said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Maximo to lead our Italian business.

"He has a track record of success in running the consumer business unit and broad experience in both the telecoms sector and other industries.

"I am confident that Wind will continue its successful track record of performance whilst executing on our value agenda under his leadership."

Prior to working for Wind, Mr Ibarra was employed in a marketing role at Telecom Italia Mobile in 1994 before he joined Omnitel/Vodafone two years later as marketing director of its consumer division.