Chris Lazarus

Chris Lazarus

Chris Lazarus has over two decades of experience in the Information and Communications Technology and Financial Services sectors. He joined Vodacom in 2005 and his previous role was the Managing Executive for Vodacom, KwaZulu Natal (KZN) province, a position he held since 2019. 

Chris is a very diversified leader due to various positions in Vodacom across Customer Solutions, Partner Management and Go-to Market-strategies. As Managing Executive: Vodacom Business Integration, Chris played a leading role in the establishment of the Enterprise strategy in South Africa. He also established the Public Sector focus, building a highly motivated team that enjoyed huge success in partnering with the Public Sector. In his role as Managing Executive: Commercial Development, Chris successfully launched many new products that have helped Vodacom business to be at the forefront of the Enterprise Telco market.

Chris transferred to the Consumer Business Unit in 2013 where he established the Emerging Markets division and in 2014 also managed the Consumer Business Unit in Gauteng province before moving to the province of Limpopo. As Managing Executive of the Limpopo Region, he led the team with passion and flair, delivering excellent results for Vodacom as well as growing telecommunications in this province. The province continues to hold a strong market share and customer loyalty. In 2018, Chris led the role of Enterprise Cloud and Security in establishing the multi cloud strategy.

In 2019 Chris took up the role of Managing Executive for KwaZulu Natal Region, he has seen the expansion of Network infrastructure with 98% 4G population coverage as well as launching 5G in 2020. He is particularly proud of the work the team has achieved in reaching the rural areas of KZN, growing the Enterprise business, and entrenching the brand beyond mobile, despite the many challenges. He is passionate about education and embarked on several initiatives such as the “Code like a Girl” Programme that sees high school girl learners being taught coding skills.

In 2021, the mobile license for a second operator was granted in Ethiopia. Chris was offered the position of Chief officer, Enterprise which he has been a part of since the bid announcement in June 2021. In addition, Chris is also the Chairperson of the social contracting taskforce with the objective to transform lives for a digital future.

Chris has a MBA from Henley Business School (UK), Advanced Executive Programme with the University of South Africa and Telecoms Certification from North West University.

He is originally from KZN and is married to Ragini and together they have two boys, Cameron and MIchael, aged 28 and 25 respectively. Chris and his boys are avid sportsmen who cycle, run and swim.