Rogers Appoints Nitin Kawale to President, Enterprise Business Unit

Appointment part of Rogers 3.0 strategy to accelerate growth in the business market

Kawale brings more than 30 years of domestic and international experience in technology sector

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Guy Laurence, Rogers President and Chief Executive Officer, today announced the appointment of Nitin Kawale to President, Enterprise Business Unit effective December 1. The appointment follows the recent unveiling of Rogers 3.0, a new, multi-year strategy that includes better serving the changing needs of Canadian businesses.

Kawale joins Rogers from Cisco Systems Canada Co where he held the position of President since 2008 with responsibility for all aspects of the Canadian operation including sales, marketing, finance, distribution and services. He's been with Cisco since 1995 serving a variety of domestic and international roles including: Worldwide Strategy and Worldwide Mobility as well as Cisco Canada executive roles in Enterprise, Small and Medium Business, and Public Sector businesses. Under his leadership, Cisco Canada has doubled in size becoming the third largest revenue producing country for Cisco globally.  

"Nitin is a proven, accomplished executive who is well-known and respected in the business space," said Guy Laurence. "Business customers in Canada are currently underserved and we're going to change that. We're serious about helping businesses use technology to be more productive and efficient. Nitin's track record for innovating and building relationships across the business community will be key assets as we execute on our Rogers 3.0 plan. He'll be a great contributor to Rogers and the executive team."

As Rogers President, Enterprise Business Unit, Kawale will be responsible for the delivery of the company's Enterprise business strategy and commercial plan covering Small and Medium Business, Enterprise and Public Sector customers. Kawale will report to CEO Guy Laurence and be a member of the Executive team. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of Toronto.

"There couldn't be a better time to join Rogers," said Nitin Kawale. "I've partnered with Rogers for more than six years and have watched the dynamic and exciting changes taking place within the company. From the small start-up to the large, enterprise customer, it's clear Rogers is serious about helping Canadian businesses adopt technology that will foster productivity and growth. They've brought wireless, wireline and data-centre assets together to provide end-to-end solutions for business customers, which is hugely exciting. I look forward to working with Guy and the team at Rogers to better serve Canadian businesses of all sizes."

Kawale has been a high-profile public speaker and quoted source across Canada on the topics of innovation and productivity. He was, in April 2014, named a Champion of Public Education across Canada by The Learning Partnership and, in June 2011, he was honoured as the Corporate Executive of the Year by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce – a national award that recognizes exemplary achievement in business by those of Indian heritage.

Under his leadership, Cisco was named Canada's Top Employer by HR consultant Aon Hewett in 2014, 2013 and 2011. Likewise Cisco was listed as a 2014 Top Foreign Corporate Citizen in Canada and named among Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2013.

Larry Baldachin, who agreed to serve as the interim President of the Enterprise Business Unit, will continue in the interim role until Kawale arrives and will remain a key executive on Kawale's team.

About Rogers
Rogers Communications is a leading diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).  For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit rogers.com.

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.

Image with caption: "Rogers today announced the appointment of Nitin Kawale to President, Enterprise Business Unit effective December 1, 2014. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141017_C3038_PHOTO_EN_6814.jpg