All change at Altice as Drahi steps down as president

Dexter Goei

Altice boss Patrick Drahi has stepped down from his role as president of the company in favour of former CEO Dexter Goei ahead of the group’s acquisition of Cablevision in the US.

Goei will take over the new US operation as chairman and CEO of Altice USA, in addition to his role as president of Altice. He will be replaced as CEO of Altice by Michel Combes, the former Alcatel-Lucent boss hired by the company as COO of Altice and CEO of French operator SFR last year. Combes will head up Altice’s executive committee and will join the Altice board as a director.

Drahi will retain control of Altice as founder and principal shareholder, “setting out the strategic, operational and technological agenda for the group”, according to Altice. Drahi has formed a new advisory council to set objectives in these areas.

As head of the U S operation, Goei will focus on the integration of Altice’s existing subsidiary in that country, Suddenlink, with new acquisition Cablevision.

As president of Altice, Goei will also continue to have responsibility for leading M&A activities worldwide.

“I am extremely excited about our US business which is accounting for approximately 40% of our group and offers huge development opportunities. Dexter exemplifies the entrepreneurial and commercial spirit of Altice and will provide the same vital leadership to our US business he displayed when building the Altice Group in the last eight years with me,” said Drahi.

“Since joining us last year, Michel has been instrumental in structuring and harmonising our operations and strengthening our management teams across the board. I am very pleased to work with him in his new role as the Altice Group embarks on its next phase of development. I look with full confidence into the future: the Altice Group has never been in a stronger position.”