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Sunrise boss defects to Ascom

Urs Fischer has jumped ship to Ascom. Keystone / Michele Limina

Urs Fischer, the designated head of the merged phone operator Sunrise/diAx, is to become the new chief executive of the telecommunications group Ascom. The markets have welcomed the news.

The 46-year-old Fischer will take over from Ascom boss, Hans-Ulrich Schroeder, who has run the Bern-based concern since 1995.

Ascom president, Fred Rüssli, said he was looking forward to working closely with Fischer. “The chemistry between us works.”

The markets applauded Fischer’s appointment, saying any move to inject fresh blood into Ascom would be good for the group. The beleaguered Schroeder had been struggling to improve the fortunes of Ascom, which on Tuesday announced a profit warning.

Sunrise/diAx, which is owned by Tele Danmark, will not welcome Fischer’s departure so soon after the merger. He is to be replaced by a 41-year-old Dane, Kim Frimer.

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