Orange SA appoints new Director of Corporate Communications

The role is a newly-created position and is designed to both strengthen and unify Orange's brand image and corporate messages internationally. He will be specifically responsible for overseeing Orange's internal and external communications, corporate social responsibility, international public relations and financial media relations, as well as managing the corporate brand reputation.

“Effective communications is a cornerstone of achieving business success. As a communications professional with over 17 years experience in the competitive global financial services industry, Martin's communications expertise and counsel will be instrumental in contributing to the fulfilment of Orange's strategic and business objectives,” Sol Trujillo said in announcing his appointment. “His extensive international experience and exposure, combined with his practical knowledge and expertise in media relations and strategic communications planning, make him a crucial and very welcome addition to my new executive team,” he added.

Martin expects to leverage his broad experience and the inherent strength of Orange's existing senior managers to enhance further the Company's already established profile. “Orange is a world-class company with a considerable reputation in a highly competitive industry. The industry is experiencing significant activity and interest. I am delighted to have this opportunity of working with Sol Trujillo and his international management team. This leadership team has already demonstrated to me that it possesses the necessary energy, commitment, conviction and strategic vision to advance this premiere brand across, and throughout, its international markets,” Cardoe explained.

With almost 20 years corporate communications, media relations, marketing and branding experience, Martin is well suited to oversee Orange's growing interests in Europe and worldwide. He was most recently a Partner and global Marketing and Communications Director for the Corporate Finance and Tax & Legal divisions of Andersen, where he was responsible primarily for directing and managing global teams on the development and implementation of a comprehensive range of communications and marketing plans and initiatives to build profile of the firm and its services within the broader international business community.

Prior to joining Andersen in 1999, Martin was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs International, where over the course of six years he was responsible for the creation and management of the European media and corporate communications function.

Martin has also held positions at Midland Bank, S.G.Warburg & Co. and Shandwick Consultants where, among other posts, he served as a Director in Hong Kong, overseeing the company's financial communications resources.

Chris Rowlands, Executive Director at 3i plc, added “Martin is an energetic and competent communications professional. His experience of working across international borders, directing senior executives and Partners of large global financial institutions and major multi-national corporations, provides Orange with an enthusiastic and committed individual who possesses a sound grasp of international business affairs and the requisite communications expertise and skill set.“

Notes to Editors Orange and wirefree are trade marks of Orange PCS. The Orange group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies, with operations in 19 countries across Europe and beyond. It provides a broad range of personal communications services, including Orange GSM1800 services and other digital cellular telephone services. The Orange brand operates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Romania, Denmark, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic, Cameroon, the Netherlands and Botswana. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar) and Madagascar (SMM) and an interest in Luxembourg. The Orange group has a joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Portugal (Optimus), Austria (Connect Austria) and Mumbai/India (BPL Mobile). As at the end of March 2003, Orange was the largest mobile operator in both the UK with 13.3 million active customers, and France with over 19.2 million registered customers. As at 31 March 2003 Orange controlled companies had 44.9 million customers worldwide. Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.com.

For more information please call the Orange media centre on +44 207 984 2000 or +44 7973 201 911