Matthew Key. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Telefónica Europe plc (45)

Profile

Matthew Key joined Telefónica O2 UK in February 2002 as Chief Financial Officer before becoming CEO on 1 February 2005.   During his time as CFO, he was responsible for the company’s financial performance, strategy, business development and regulatory functions.  Over the past three years, he has overseen a turnaround of the business, as the company has significantly outperformed the market and all of its competitors.  O2 is now the UK’s largest operator by revenues and customer numbers.  In 2007, the company launched, in conjunction with AEG, The O2 – which is on course to be the world’s most popular venue by the end of the year – and became Apple’s exclusive UK partner for iPhone.  Matthew was also instrumental in the creation of Tesco mobile, the 50:50 joint venture between O2 and Tesco.

Matthew came to O2 from Vodafone, where he had worked within the retail and network divisions, before becoming Finance Director of Vodafone UK.  Prior to joining Vodafone, he held various financial roles at other major companies including Coca-Cola and Schweppes, Grand Metropolitan and Kingfisher.  Matthew qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Young in London in 1987.

Following the announcement of senior management changes on 29 November 2007, Mr. Key became Chairman and Chief Executive of Telefónica Europe plc. Mr. Key took up the appointment on 1 January 2008 and also joined the Telefónica, SA. Executive Committee.