Matjaž Merkan appointed new CEO of Telekom Slovenije

Matjaž Merkan, the former boss of the US-owned company Weiler Abrasives, has been appointed new chief executive of Telekom Slovenije, to replace Rudolf Skobe, who quit the post in April.

Merkan, who will assume his four-year term as CEO of Slovenia’s leading telecommunications company on 16 September, said he was glad to be taking on the new challenge. “I’m guided by good results and target achievement together with employees,” he said, noting his 20-year leadership experience.

Merkan headed Weiler Abrasives, the maker of abrasives formerly known as SwatyComet, for just over six years until the end of March this year.  Merkan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in economics, had earlier served for almost three years as a unit head at Swatycomet, and before that worked for lighting maker Siteco Sistemi and its precursor Elektrokovina Svetilke.

He described Telekom Slovenije as an excellent company, a market leader introducing new products, services and trends in Slovenia and the broader region. “I’m confident that it will retain its leading position in the future – including by expanding into new fields,” he said, noting fast changes in the industry. “Telekom Slovenije will need to become even more digitalised, advanced and agile. It’s worth betting on the people who comprise the group and who have something to show for themselves even today,” he added.