BC Partners-backed telecommunications provider United Group has appointed Stan Miller, a telecoms veteran and former CEO of Royal KPN NV’s mobile division, as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding founder Dragan Šolak and current CEO Victoriya Boklag, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Both will step down from their roles, the company said in a statement on Monday.
Miller’s appointment is part of a broader executive reshuffle that includes the naming of Libor Voncina as Deputy CEO. Voncina brings prior CEO experience from Swiss operator Sunrise Communications AG and KPN’s Belgian unit.
United Group, headquartered in the Netherlands and operating across Southeastern Europe, is a portfolio company of BC Partners.
The leadership change follows a series of strategic divestments totalling €1.5bn in enterprise value earlier this year, including the sale of its Serbian broadband operations to e& PPF Telecom Group BV and the divestiture of Net TV Plus and sports broadcasting rights in the Western Balkans to Telekom Srbija.
The operational pivot aligns with United Group’s intention to consolidate its presence in EU markets while streamlining its portfolio.
For BC Partners, the shift comes amid ongoing fundraising activity. The London-headquartered investment firm is targeting €5-6bn for its latest flagship fund, according to Bloomberg.
The firm has been active on the exit front, recently divesting its stake in Dutch generics manufacturer Synthon to Goldman Sachs’ alternatives unit, and agreeing to sell its controlling interest in Canadian security services group GardaWorld.
With approximately €40bn in assets under management across private equity, private debt, and real estate, BC Partners continues to focus on mid-market opportunities. The firm recently raised over $1.4bn for its third special opportunities vehicle and is exploring a new fund aimed at specialty finance deals.
Commenting on broader market dynamics, BC Partners Europe Chairman Nikos Stathopoulos recently noted increased investor appetite for resilient sectors, with European assets perceived as relative safe havens amid global economic uncertainty.
