Com Hem appoints Barron as executive chairman

Swedish cable operator Com Hem has appointed Virgin Media’s former chief operating officer Andrew Barron as executive chairman. 

Barron, who was replaced at Virgin Media earlier this year by former UPC Ireland managing director Dana Strong, following Liberty Media’s buyout of the company, brings 18 years of experience to the role.

He will work closely with Com Hem CEO Tomas Franzén and lead efforts to find Franzén’s successor following the his previously-announced departure from Com Hem, which is due to happen at the end of 2014.

Nikos Stathopoulos, current chairman of Com Hem, will remain on the board, the company said in a statement.

Prior to his time at Virgin Media, Barron was chief operating officer at Modern Times Group, a role that gave him “a solid understanding of the Swedish media landscape,” said Com Hem.