Telenet Group Holding has appointed Rocío Lorenzo as its next CEO, effective November 2, 2026, succeeding John Porter, who is stepping down after leading the Belgian telecom company since 2013.
Lorenzo currently serves as Executive President and General Manager of Cable & Wireless Panamá. She will lead Telenet’s strategic development within Liberty Global’s Ziggo Group, the newly formed Benelux telecommunications group bringing together Telenet in Belgium and VodafoneZiggo in the Netherlands.
Porter, 68, will work with Lorenzo throughout the remainder of 2026 to support the leadership transition.
John Porter Leaves Telenet After 13 Years of Transformation
During Porter’s 13-year tenure, Telenet expanded from a traditional Flemish cable operator into a broader telecom, media and entertainment business. His strategy focused on increasing operational scale, developing network infrastructure and strengthening the company’s position in Belgian media.
Major milestones included the 2016 acquisition of BASE Company, the creation of Play Media and the launch of network infrastructure company Wyre.
The BASE acquisition expanded Telenet’s mobile operations, while Play Media strengthened its local content business. Wyre became another key element of the company’s network infrastructure strategy.
Porter’s contribution to the industry earned him induction into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2022.
After nearly four decades in senior leadership positions, Porter said he plans to spend more time with his family in Australia while remaining active in advisory and other roles. He described Telenet’s entry into Ziggo Group’s Benelux structure as an appropriate moment to hand over leadership.
Rocío Lorenzo Brings Telecom Operations and Transformation Experience
Lorenzo brings more than 20 years of international experience and prior involvement in Telenet’s strategic transformation.
Born in Spain and educated in Germany, she has served as a Senior Vice President at Liberty Latin America since 2021. She became Executive President and General Manager of Cable & Wireless Panamá in January 2024.
Her responsibilities in Panama cover strategic planning, technology evaluation, product development, sales, operations and customer service. She also oversees digital, content, interconnect and roaming activities across Liberty Latin America.
Before joining Liberty Latin America, Lorenzo was a Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where she led its telecommunications practice from 2007 onwards.
During her consulting career, she worked on several Telenet transformation projects, including the acquisition of BASE Company in 2016. That experience gives her familiarity with both the company and the Belgian telecom market.
Telenet CEO Will Report to Ziggo Group’s Stephen van Rooyen
Lorenzo will join the Ziggo Group leadership team and report to Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Ziggo Group.
Her appointment places Telenet’s leadership within the new regional structure combining the Belgian business with VodafoneZiggo in the Netherlands. Lorenzo’s mandate is to continue Telenet’s existing strategic trajectory as the broader group develops its Benelux telecommunications operations.
Van Rooyen highlighted her international telecom experience and understanding of Belgium as important qualifications for the role.
Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries said Lorenzo brings telecom expertise, operational leadership and experience translating strategy into business results. He also credited Porter with building Telenet into a digital-first business positioned for its next phase within Ziggo Group.
Connectivity and Customer Experience Set the Direction
Lorenzo identified faster, better and more reliable connectivity, alongside improved customer experiences, as priorities for her incoming leadership.
The appointment combines continuity with a change in management: Lorenzo has previously advised Telenet, while Porter will remain involved during the handover through the end of 2026.
