Vodafone yesterday announced far-reaching changes to its senior management team, which some analysts read as the first signs that Mr Arun Sarin, the mobile operator's incoming chief executive, could be starting to stamp his mark on the mobile operator.

Mr Peter Bamford, currently chief executive of the group's Northern European operations, becomes chief marketing officer and Mr Thomas Geitner, head of global products and services across the group, becomes chief technology officer.

New chief executives were also announced for Vodafone's regional operations with Mr Jurgen von Kuczkowski, chief executive of Central Europe and German operations, becoming chief executive of Northern Europe and Mr Vittorio Colao, chief executive of Southern Europe, taking on responsibility for the Middle East and Africa.

However, some analysts were puzzled by the announcements as they came before Mr Sarin formally takes over as chief executive from departing Sir Christopher Gent at the end of July.

Some speculated the appointments were more likely to be Mr Sarin's as Vodafone had followed US practice in the titles given to the two new key roles. Chief marketing officer and chief technology officer are far more common in the US than in Europe.

However, Vodafone insisted yesterday that the management changes had been a team decision and that Mr Sarin and Sir Christopher had both been involved.

Last week Vodafone held its annual strategy meeting lasting three days with its top senior executives.

Analysts said the changes appeared to have been made to put Vodafone in a stronger position to cope with the new challenges as mobile operators drive up revenues from new data services such as picture messaging and wireless internet access. - (Financial Times Service)