Management Board
Nicolas Mahler
Jean-Claude Geha
Nicolas Mahler
Nicolas Mahler assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of Vantage Towers in February 2025. He oversees the Group’s finance division, including both the central functions and the finance departments of the various market entities. Prior to joining Vantage Towers, he held various leadership roles at Deutsche Telekom Group. Most recently he served as B2B CFO & SVP Sales Management at Deutsche Telekom. Before that, he was the CFO of Telekom Romania.
Initially he started his career as a strategy consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Nicolas Mahler holds a Master of Business Administration degree from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany) and studied as well at the ESC Grenoble Ecole de Management (France), at the Tulane University (USA) and at the Harvard Business School (USA).
Jean-Claude Geha
Jean-Claude Geha was appointed as Chief Technology Officer, part of Executive Committee of Vantage Towers, effective March 2024. With over three decades of experience in the technology industry, Jean-Claude is a seasoned leader who has held senior positions at renowned companies such as Deutsche Telecom, Ericsson, TeliaSonera, Bell Canada, and MCI.
Jean-Claude's extensive expertise spans technology, operations, sales, product management, and development, and he has worked across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Africa. He joins Vantage Towers from French IT service provider ATOS, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Telecom, Media, and Technology Industry. He holds a Master of Telecommunications Management from the Southern Methodist University in Texas and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Additionally, he has acquired specialized diplomas in Strategic Learning for Executives from Columbia University, Finance for Executives from INSEAD, and Digital Transformation from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Nicolas Mahler
Jean-Claude Geha
Nicolas Mahler
Nicolas Mahler assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of Vantage Towers in February 2025. He oversees the Group’s finance division, including both the central functions and the finance departments of the various market entities. Prior to joining Vantage Towers, he held various leadership roles at Deutsche Telekom Group. Most recently he served as B2B CFO & SVP Sales Management at Deutsche Telekom. Before that, he was the CFO of Telekom Romania.
Initially he started his career as a strategy consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Nicolas Mahler holds a Master of Business Administration degree from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany) and studied as well at the ESC Grenoble Ecole de Management (France), at the Tulane University (USA) and at the Harvard Business School (USA).
Jean-Claude Geha
Jean-Claude Geha was appointed as Chief Technology Officer, part of Executive Committee of Vantage Towers, effective March 2024. With over three decades of experience in the technology industry, Jean-Claude is a seasoned leader who has held senior positions at renowned companies such as Deutsche Telecom, Ericsson, TeliaSonera, Bell Canada, and MCI.
Jean-Claude's extensive expertise spans technology, operations, sales, product management, and development, and he has worked across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Africa. He joins Vantage Towers from French IT service provider ATOS, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Telecom, Media, and Technology Industry. He holds a Master of Telecommunications Management from the Southern Methodist University in Texas and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Additionally, he has acquired specialized diplomas in Strategic Learning for Executives from Columbia University, Finance for Executives from INSEAD, and Digital Transformation from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Executive Committee
Thomas Gottschlich
Sonia Hernandez
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser
Thomas Gottschlich
Thomas Gottschlich joined the Executive Committee of Vantage Towers as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) in June 2025. He brings over 30 years of experience in HR across the telecommunications, retail and consumer electronics sectors. Before joining Vantage Towers, he worked as an independent consultant, supporting clients in HR management, interim leadership, and executive search.
Prior to this, Thomas served as CHRO of 1&1 Drillisch AG from 2018 to 2021, where he shaped the company’s HR strategy during a period of significant change. From 2013 to 2018, he was Managing Director Human Resources at Telefónica Germany, playing a key role in the integration of E-Plus and Telefónica. Earlier in his career, he held senior HR leadership roles at EDEKA, 1&1 Internet AG, and Sony. Thomas studied Business Administration at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences.
Sonia Hernandez
Sonia Hernandez joined the Executive Committee of Vantage Towers as Chief Commercial Officer in April 2020, following two years as CEO of Vodafone Malta. While in this previous role, Sonia oversaw the sale of Vodafone Malta to Monaco Telecom.
Prior to this, Sonia held senior supply chain and commercial positions at Vodafone, firstly as Head of Group Supply Chain Radio Access (2012-2015) and then as Head of Group Supply Chain Commercial Services (2015-2018) and member of the Board of Vodafone Procurement Company.
Sonia’s extensive international leadership experience in the telecoms industry stretches back to before her time at Vodafone, having held various senior Human Resources and Sales positions at Nokia Siemens Networks between 1997 and 2012.
Sonia has also been a Board member of Kabel Deutschland and Vodafone Germany since 2016, and, in 2020, she also joined the Board of INWIT.
Sonia studied at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid and the Darmstadt Elektrotechnik Fachhochschule.
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser joined Vantage Towers in October 2024 as Head of ESG, where she drives the Group’s sustainability strategy. Before Vantage Towers, she held the roles as Vice President Quality, HSE & Sustainability at PACCOR and Quality Manager in Thyssen-Krupp. She also held key positions in Norway, including Group Quality Manager at Kongsberg Automotive, Vice President Quality at Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, and Head of Business Relations and Innovation at Norsk Hydro. Constanze holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Administration and earned a Ph.D. for her thesis on Total Quality Management and Culture at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Arun Kumar Janardhanan
Tobias Steinig
Arun Kumar Janardhanan
Arun Kumar Janardhanan joined Vantage Towers in January 2021 as the Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development playing a pivotal role in establishing Vantage Towers. Since October 2024, he has been appointed Group Strategy Director and a Member of the Executive Committee. Before Vantage Towers, Arun held key positions at Vodafone UK and India, including Merger and Acquisition Executive, VP Finance of Passive Infrastructure and Transformation, and Regional Business Finance Operation Lead. He holds a Commerce degree from the University of Delhi and a Diploma from National Institute of Information Technology, India.
Tobias Steinig
Since joining Vantage Towers in February 2024, Tobias Steinig has spearheaded the company's digital transformation strategy as Group Chief Digital Officer (Group CDO) and member of the Executive Committee. Tobias is dedicated to optimizing the IT Environment and driving an integrated, forward-thinking approach to digitalization as well as the Corporate Transformation across Vantage Towers.
Prior to his current role, Tobias served as Managing Director & Senior Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure & Operations at Dekra SE, where he championed the global standardization and harmonization of IT systems. His extensive experience in digital operations also includes leadership positions at VOITH Robotics and KUKA. An Executive MBA from St. Gallen Business School & SRH University Berlin, Tobias brings a wealth of expertise in digital transformation and operational excellence.
Thomas Gottschlich
Sonia Hernandez
Thomas Gottschlich
Thomas Gottschlich joined the Executive Committee of Vantage Towers as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) in June 2025. He brings over 30 years of experience in HR across the telecommunications, retail and consumer electronics sectors. Before joining Vantage Towers, he worked as an independent consultant, supporting clients in HR management, interim leadership, and executive search.
Prior to this, Thomas served as CHRO of 1&1 Drillisch AG from 2018 to 2021, where he shaped the company’s HR strategy during a period of significant change. From 2013 to 2018, he was Managing Director Human Resources at Telefónica Germany, playing a key role in the integration of E-Plus and Telefónica. Earlier in his career, he held senior HR leadership roles at EDEKA, 1&1 Internet AG, and Sony. Thomas studied Business Administration at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences.
Sonia Hernandez
Sonia Hernandez joined the Executive Committee of Vantage Towers as Chief Commercial Officer in April 2020, following two years as CEO of Vodafone Malta. While in this previous role, Sonia oversaw the sale of Vodafone Malta to Monaco Telecom.
Prior to this, Sonia held senior supply chain and commercial positions at Vodafone, firstly as Head of Group Supply Chain Radio Access (2012-2015) and then as Head of Group Supply Chain Commercial Services (2015-2018) and member of the Board of Vodafone Procurement Company.
Sonia’s extensive international leadership experience in the telecoms industry stretches back to before her time at Vodafone, having held various senior Human Resources and Sales positions at Nokia Siemens Networks between 1997 and 2012.
Sonia has also been a Board member of Kabel Deutschland and Vodafone Germany since 2016, and, in 2020, she also joined the Board of INWIT.
Sonia studied at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid and the Darmstadt Elektrotechnik Fachhochschule.
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser
Arun Kumar Janardhanan
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser
Dr. Constanze Hirschhäuser joined Vantage Towers in October 2024 as Head of ESG, where she drives the Group’s sustainability strategy. Before Vantage Towers, she held the roles as Vice President Quality, HSE & Sustainability at PACCOR and Quality Manager in Thyssen-Krupp. She also held key positions in Norway, including Group Quality Manager at Kongsberg Automotive, Vice President Quality at Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, and Head of Business Relations and Innovation at Norsk Hydro. Constanze holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Administration and earned a Ph.D. for her thesis on Total Quality Management and Culture at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Arun Kumar Janardhanan
Arun Kumar Janardhanan joined Vantage Towers in January 2021 as the Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development playing a pivotal role in establishing Vantage Towers. Since October 2024, he has been appointed Group Strategy Director and a Member of the Executive Committee. Before Vantage Towers, Arun held key positions at Vodafone UK and India, including Merger and Acquisition Executive, VP Finance of Passive Infrastructure and Transformation, and Regional Business Finance Operation Lead. He holds a Commerce degree from the University of Delhi and a Diploma from National Institute of Information Technology, India.
Tobias Steinig
Tobias Steinig
Since joining Vantage Towers in February 2024, Tobias Steinig has spearheaded the company's digital transformation strategy as Group Chief Digital Officer (Group CDO) and member of the Executive Committee. Tobias is dedicated to optimizing the IT Environment and driving an integrated, forward-thinking approach to digitalization as well as the Corporate Transformation across Vantage Towers.
Prior to his current role, Tobias served as Managing Director & Senior Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure & Operations at Dekra SE, where he championed the global standardization and harmonization of IT systems. His extensive experience in digital operations also includes leadership positions at VOITH Robotics and KUKA. An Executive MBA from St. Gallen Business School & SRH University Berlin, Tobias brings a wealth of expertise in digital transformation and operational excellence.
Managing Directors
Badiaa Bazarbacha
Dr. J. Gergő Budai
Ana Díaz
Badiaa Bazarbacha
Badiaa Bazarbacha joined Vantage Towers in September 2020 as Executive Head of Sales for the Central and Eastern Europe Region. In January 2024, she was appointed interim Co-Managing Director of Vantage Towers Germany, and as of November 2024, she serves as Deputy Managing Director. Previously, she served for over 21 years in various roles at Ericsson, most recently as Vice President and Head of Commercial Management for the Global Customer Unit Deutsche Telekom. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications from the University of Wuppertal, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics for Engineers from the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein, Germany.
Dr. J. Gergő Budai
Since November 2020, dr. J. Gergő Budai has served as Managing Director of Vantage Towers Hungary, and as of March 2024, he expanded his responsibilities as Cluster Managing Director, overseeing subsidiaries in Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Ireland and Portugal. With an expansive background in International Law, he served on the Pfizer Board and held senior leadership roles at Invitel Group. He later joined Vodafone, where he was Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Vodafone Hungary. Gergő holds a degree in Law and Political Sciences from Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Hungary complemented by studies in International Law at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Ana Díaz
Ana Díaz is leading Vantage Towers Spain as Managing Director since December 2024 in addition to her role as Head of Commercial Strategy & Global Accounts at Vantage Towers.Earlier in her career, she was Regional Head of Technology Planning for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia at Vodafone Group.Ana brings almost 20 years of experience at Ericsson, where she advanced from account management to global leadership roles. She holds a postgraduate degree from IESE Business School and a Bachelor’s degree of Telecommunications Engineering from the Technical University of Madrid, Spain.
Athanasios Exarchos
Jean-Claude Geha
Paolo Favaro
Athanasios Exarchos
Athanasios Exarchos is leading Vantage Towers Greece since November 2020, overseeing the company’s strategic expansion in the Greek market. With over 30 years of experience in the ICT sector, he has held roles such as President and Managing Director of Nokia Hellas. He began his career at Siemens Research and Development, gaining a strong foundation in technology and innovation. Athanasios holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in System Design from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Jean-Claude Geha
Jean-Claude Geha was appointed as Chief Technology Officer, part of Executive Committee of Vantage Towers, effective March 2024. With over three decades of experience in the technology industry, Jean-Claude is a seasoned leader who has held senior positions at renowned companies such as Deutsche Telecom, Ericsson, TeliaSonera, Bell Canada, and MCI.
Jean-Claude's extensive expertise spans technology, operations, sales, product management, and development, and he has worked across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Africa. He joins Vantage Towers from French IT service provider ATOS, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Telecom, Media, and Technology Industry. He holds a Master of Telecommunications Management from the Southern Methodist University in Texas and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Additionally, he has acquired specialized diplomas in Strategic Learning for Executives from Columbia University, Finance for Executives from INSEAD, and Digital Transformation from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Paolo Favaro
Paolo Favoro is leading Vantage Towers Portugal since October 2020 and, upon launching operations, he has been responsible for driving the company’s strategic and commercial growth in the Portuguese market. Prior to this role, Paolo held senior positions at Vodafone Group and was a Research Associate at NEC Europe Laboratories, bringing with him over 20 years of international experience. Paolo holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy and he earned a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Warwick Business School, United Kingdom.
Brian McHugh
Jiří Švarc
Cătălin Tănase
Brian McHugh
Brian McHugh is leading Vantage Towers Ireland as Managing Director since June 2020, driving the company’s strategic growth and operations. Previously, he was Head of Network Property & Estates at Vodafone, managing Vodafone Ireland’s network property portfolio. Before that, he served as Head of Property, Acquisition & Estates at Netshare Ireland, overseeing site acquisition, estate management, and property strategy for Vodafone Ireland. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Property Economics from Technological University Dublin, Ireland.
Jiří Švarc
Jiří Švarc is leading Vantage Towers Czech Republic since September 2020, overseeing the company’s strategy, growth, and operations. With nearly 30 years of experience in the telecom industry, he has held leadership roles at Motorola, Oskar, and Vodafone. Before joining Vantage Towers, he was Director of Network Development at Vodafone Czech Republic, where he was responsible for GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks, as well as spectrum acquisitions and M&A activities. Jiří holds a Master’s degree in civil engineering with a specialization in steel structures and bridges from the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech.
Cătălin Tănase
Cătălin Tănase is leading Vantage Towers Romania as Managing Director since July 2020. Before, he held several senior positions at Vodafone Group, including Senior Manager Digital Configuration and Network Operations. He earned a Master of Science in Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and holds a Bachelor’s degree in informatics from National College Mihai Viteazu, Romania.
Badiaa Bazarbacha
Dr. J. Gergő Budai
Badiaa Bazarbacha
Badiaa Bazarbacha joined Vantage Towers in September 2020 as Executive Head of Sales for the Central and Eastern Europe Region. In January 2024, she was appointed interim Co-Managing Director of Vantage Towers Germany, and as of November 2024, she serves as Deputy Managing Director. Previously, she served for over 21 years in various roles at Ericsson, most recently as Vice President and Head of Commercial Management for the Global Customer Unit Deutsche Telekom. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications from the University of Wuppertal, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics for Engineers from the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein, Germany.
Dr. J. Gergő Budai
Since November 2020, dr. J. Gergő Budai has served as Managing Director of Vantage Towers Hungary, and as of March 2024, he expanded his responsibilities as Cluster Managing Director, overseeing subsidiaries in Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Ireland and Portugal. With an expansive background in International Law, he served on the Pfizer Board and held senior leadership roles at Invitel Group. He later joined Vodafone, where he was Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Vodafone Hungary. Gergő holds a degree in Law and Political Sciences from Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Hungary complemented by studies in International Law at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Ana Díaz
Athanasios Exarchos
Ana Díaz
Ana Díaz is leading Vantage Towers Spain as Managing Director since December 2024 in addition to her role as Head of Commercial Strategy & Global Accounts at Vantage Towers.Earlier in her career, she was Regional Head of Technology Planning for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia at Vodafone Group.Ana brings almost 20 years of experience at Ericsson, where she advanced from account management to global leadership roles. She holds a postgraduate degree from IESE Business School and a Bachelor’s degree of Telecommunications Engineering from the Technical University of Madrid, Spain.
Athanasios Exarchos
Athanasios Exarchos is leading Vantage Towers Greece since November 2020, overseeing the company’s strategic expansion in the Greek market. With over 30 years of experience in the ICT sector, he has held roles such as President and Managing Director of Nokia Hellas. He began his career at Siemens Research and Development, gaining a strong foundation in technology and innovation. Athanasios holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in System Design from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Jean-Claude Geha
Paolo Favaro
Jean-Claude Geha
Jean-Claude Geha was appointed as Chief Technology Officer, part of Executive Committee of Vantage Towers, effective March 2024. With over three decades of experience in the technology industry, Jean-Claude is a seasoned leader who has held senior positions at renowned companies such as Deutsche Telecom, Ericsson, TeliaSonera, Bell Canada, and MCI.
Jean-Claude's extensive expertise spans technology, operations, sales, product management, and development, and he has worked across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Africa. He joins Vantage Towers from French IT service provider ATOS, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Telecom, Media, and Technology Industry. He holds a Master of Telecommunications Management from the Southern Methodist University in Texas and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Additionally, he has acquired specialized diplomas in Strategic Learning for Executives from Columbia University, Finance for Executives from INSEAD, and Digital Transformation from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Paolo Favaro
Paolo Favoro is leading Vantage Towers Portugal since October 2020 and, upon launching operations, he has been responsible for driving the company’s strategic and commercial growth in the Portuguese market. Prior to this role, Paolo held senior positions at Vodafone Group and was a Research Associate at NEC Europe Laboratories, bringing with him over 20 years of international experience. Paolo holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy and he earned a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Warwick Business School, United Kingdom.
Brian McHugh
Jiří Švarc
Brian McHugh
Brian McHugh is leading Vantage Towers Ireland as Managing Director since June 2020, driving the company’s strategic growth and operations. Previously, he was Head of Network Property & Estates at Vodafone, managing Vodafone Ireland’s network property portfolio. Before that, he served as Head of Property, Acquisition & Estates at Netshare Ireland, overseeing site acquisition, estate management, and property strategy for Vodafone Ireland. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Property Economics from Technological University Dublin, Ireland.
Jiří Švarc
Jiří Švarc is leading Vantage Towers Czech Republic since September 2020, overseeing the company’s strategy, growth, and operations. With nearly 30 years of experience in the telecom industry, he has held leadership roles at Motorola, Oskar, and Vodafone. Before joining Vantage Towers, he was Director of Network Development at Vodafone Czech Republic, where he was responsible for GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks, as well as spectrum acquisitions and M&A activities. Jiří holds a Master’s degree in civil engineering with a specialization in steel structures and bridges from the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech.
Cătălin Tănase
Cătălin Tănase
Cătălin Tănase is leading Vantage Towers Romania as Managing Director since July 2020. Before, he held several senior positions at Vodafone Group, including Senior Manager Digital Configuration and Network Operations. He earned a Master of Science in Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and holds a Bachelor’s degree in informatics from National College Mihai Viteazu, Romania.