Spain is second biggest market for Orange

Paillassot, an experienced finance and investment executive, replaces Jean Marc Vignolles.

“Both for its size and its growth, Spain is Orange's second largest operation after France, and appointing Laurent Paillassot means the group has great expectations in the Spanish market,” said Gervais Pellissier, president of Orange Spain's board of directors. “He will carry on with the positive trend and will consolidate Orange as Spain's second telecom operator.”

According to some analysts, Paillassot's profile makes him the ideal executive to lead Orange's initial public offering (IPO) to enter Spain's stock market.

Vignolles has been appointed as the group's COO for Africa and Middle East, following Orange's international executive realignment.

Vignolles has been dealing with the integration of Orange and Jazztel, which are operating as the same company, providing pay-TV and other telecom services, since 8 February. Integration included a round of firing, which will see nearly 500 workers lose their jobs