Thomas Skjelbred

Global CxO & Board Member | Business Growth | P&L | Strategic Partnerships | Transformation | Technology, Media & Telecom Across Europe and Asia

Norway

About

Strategic and growth-oriented executive with 25+ years of international leadership experience across Europe and Asia, having served as CEO, COO, CTO and Group CPO in leading telecom and technology companies. Recognized for scaling business, driving transformation, and unlocking growth across operation, customer offering, and market footprints. P&L and Market Growth Leadership: P&L responsibility for a $3B global telecom procurement company and led a $300M Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) business, doubled market share, reduced churn by 40%, and expanded commercial reach through partner ecosystems and digital product innovation. Business Transformation & M&A Execution: Enabled two multi-billion-dollar telecom mergers in Southeast Asia, delivering structural integration and synergy realization. Scaled a greenfield telecom operation in India to 53M customers through disciplined execution and lean operating models. Cross-Functional, Cross-Market Leadership: Built and led teams of 240+ procurement professionals across Europe and Asia. Lead by aligning technology, operations, and commercial teams around shared goals to drive execution and continuous improvement mindset. Strategic Value Creation: Delivered significant enterprise value and cost synergies through operational scaling, ecosystem partnership, and strategic repositioning. My passion lies in developing businesses and organizations to unlock value, energize teams, and define clear strategic directions. I thrive on aligning and empowering people to drive change to deliver growth—whether in established corporations, PE-backed ventures, or boardroom environments.

Experience

  • Telenor (On-site)
    • Chief Operating Officer
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      As COO of Telenor Nordics, I hold overall responsibility for Technology, IT, Procurement, and Shared Services across Telenor Nordic region. This includes setting a clear strategic direction for the Nordic technology agenda, driving operational excellence, and leading a focused transformation journey across our shared platforms and capabilities. At this pivotal stage of Telenor’s evolution, my mission is to harness technology and AI as powerful enablers of customer value, business growth, and societal impact. Together with a strong and committed Nordic team, I am focused on delivering scale, resilience, and innovation across our regional footprint—while strengthening collaboration and performance across our operating companies.

    • Board Member
      Feb 2021 - Jan 2026 · 5 yrs

      Telenor Group’s central procurement company located in Singapore.

    • Group Chief Procurement Officer, Telenor Group & CEO, Telenor Procurement Company
      Mar 2020 - Jan 2026 · 5 yrs 11 mos

      As Group CPO and CEO of Telenor’s central procurement company (TPC), I lead a $3B+ global business spanning 8 markets across Europe and Asia. I oversee a team of 240 professionals and am responsible for securing a continues development of Telenor’s procurement capabilities, commercial strategies, and operational resilience—serving both wholly owned entities and joint ventures. • Develop global procurement operations by centralizing governance and positioning TPC as a Global Telecom Procurement Service Provider—enhancing efficiency, scalability, and stakeholder engagement, including the launch of the AI First@Procurement initiative. • Secured substantial business value through the development of high-performing sourcing teams, global category and sourcing strategies, and a resilient supplier ecosystem—mitigating major disruptions such as COVID-19, geopolitical shifts, and supply chain constraints. • Enabled two multi-billion-dollar mergers in Thailand and Malaysia by integrating procurement functions and unlocking significant value and cost synergies. • Elevated sustainability leadership by driving Science-Based Target (SBT) adoption among top suppliers and strengthening ESG transparency and compliance in line with Telenor’s climate goals.

  • Altibox AS (Norway · On-site)
    • Chief Executive Officer
      Jan 2017 - Mar 2020 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Led Norway’s top Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) operator with $300M annual revenue, delivering broadband and TV services to B2C and B2B segments. As CEO, held full P&L responsibility, scaling market share, driving customer-centric innovation, and strengthening Altibox’s market leadership. As CTO, rolled out national fibre network, data centres, and digital platforms into a high quality and scalable infrastructure supporting the rapid growth. • Doubled broadband market share to 21.5% through expansion with 30+ infrastructure partners across Norway and Denmark. Altibox has during 2024 further lifted its market revenue share to 34,8% and is now the number #1 player. • Reduced customer churn by 40% and increased bundled product uptake by 300% via launch of innovative next-gen TV & Entertainment offerings over a period of 24 months. • Boosted customer satisfaction through digitalized customer journeys and scalable service models—won national customer awards multiple years. • Established a strong foundation with strategic partnerships and a customer-centric culture delivering industry leading product & service innovation.

    • Chief Technology Officer
      Aug 2014 - Dec 2016 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      • Industrialized technology operations, shifting from entrepreneurial culture to a robust operation—improving scalability, cost efficiency and operational resilience. • Rapid stabilization of technical platforms and operations led to a 40% reduction in incidents and a 50% drop in support calls, significantly improving product reliability and customer satisfaction. • Defined a business-aligned technology strategy and implemented agile delivery models across the technology organization, accelerating roll-out and execution while establishing a strong foundation to support business growth ambitions.

  • Board Member at Viken Fiber AS
    May 2017 - Feb 2020 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Norwegian regional Fiber-To-The-Home company with more than 180,000 connected homes and annual revenue of above $150 mill.

  • Board Member at Hello AS
    Jun 2016 - May 2019 · 3 yrs

    A Norwegian national B2C virtual mobile service provider, MVNO.

  • Board Member at Nimbus Direct As
    Mar 2016 - Oct 2018 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Norwegian national fiber and 3-play sales company with annual revenue of $10 mill.