Partner Communications Company Ltd.
("Partner")(Nasdaq:PTNR)(LSE:PCCD)(TASE:PTNR), a leading Israeli
mobile communications operator, today announced the appointment of
David Avner as CEO of Partner effective 1 January 2007. Mr. Avner,
presently Deputy CEO and COO, will succeed Mr. Amikam Cohen, Partner's
founding CEO.
Mr. Canning Fok, Partner's Chairman of the Board congratulated Mr.
Avner on his appointment. He also thanked Mr. Cohen for his most
excellent contribution to the Company. He said that under Mr. Cohen's
leadership, Partner became a leading mobile operator after launching
in 1999 from well behind the encumbents. He added that Partner is now
a model of business excellence, having created major value for its
shareholders, customers and employees. On leaving the post of CEO, Mr.
Cohen will be an adviser to the Company.
Mr. Cohen said today that he will be leaving the post of Company's
CEO with pride at the achievements of the Company's management and
employees. He added that David Avner's leadership and determination
have already been demonstrated and that he is confident that David
will continue to lead the Company to future growth and achievements.
Mr. Cohen also thanked Mr. Fok and the members of the Board for
their continued support of the Company, and for their contribution to
its successes.
Mr. Avner thanked the Chairman, the Board and Amikam Cohen for the
trust put in him. He added that he will be taking over the helm of a
Company he knows and admires and that is one of Israel's most
respected companies.
Mr. Avner was appointed as Partner's Deputy CEO on April 2005 and
as of January 1st 2006 served also as the Company's COO. In the two
years prior to joining Partner, he served as Senior Vice President of
Operations and Member of the Executive Management at Amdocs Limited.
Previously he served at Amdocs as Group President Europe and LATAM &
Member of Management. Prior to that, Mr. Avner served at Strauss Dairy
Ltd. for 17 years, the last four as General Manager of the Dairy
Division. Mr. Avner was also the Plant Manager of Strauss Ice Creams
Ltd., and Manager of Information Systems at Strauss Dairy Ltd. He also
served as active Director of Yotvata Dairies Subsidiary since 1998.
Mr. Avner holds a B.A. in Mathematics/Computer Sciences &
Philosophy from Haifa University in Israel and an MBA degree from the
Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.
About Partner Communications
Partner Communications Company Ltd. (Partner) is a leading Israeli
mobile communications operator providing GSM/ GPRS/ UMTS services and
wire free applications under the orange(TM) brand. The Company
commenced full commercial operations in January 1999 and, through its
network, provides quality service and a range of features to 2.626
million subscribers in Israel. The Company launched its 3G service in
2004. Partner's ADSs are quoted on The NASDAQ Global Select Market(TM)
and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol PTNR. The shares
are also traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol PCCD.
Partner is a subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications
International Limited (Hutchison Telecom). Hutchison Telecom is a
leading listed telecommunications operator (SEHK: 2332; NYSE: HTX)
focusing on dynamic markets. It currently offers mobile and fixed-line
telecommunication services in Hong Kong, and operates or is rolling
out mobile telecommunication services in India, Israel, Macau,
Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Indonesia and Vietnam.
For more information about Partner, see
www.investors.partner.co.il
