COO Mirko Bibic To Assume Leadership of Bell Canada

Mirko Bibic

The Board of Directors of BCE Inc. has announced that Chief Operating Officer Mirko Bibic will be appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada following the retirement of George Cope on January 5, 2020 after almost 12 years in the CEO role.

"The BCE Board is pleased to take the next step in our succession plan by confirming Mirko Bibic as our next CEO," said Gordon Nixon, Chair of BCE and Bell Canada.

"Mirko is a seasoned Bell executive who has played a critical leadership role in the company's strategic transformation over the last decade. With deep experience across Bell's business segments, outstanding financial and operational acumen, and an unmatched understanding of the issues transforming the Canadian communications landscape, Mirko is the ideal choice to lead Bell's management team forward in the execution of our growth strategy."

George Cope

A Bell executive since 2004, Bibic is currently Chief Operating Officer responsible for Bell Mobility, Bell Residential and Small Business, and Bell Business Markets (BBM). He has been an integral leader in the launch of a broad range of successful consumer and business initiatives, such as the expansion of Bell Wireless Home Internet to scores of small towns and rural communities; the acceleration of Bell prepaid wireless, including the introduction of low-cost Lucky Mobile and Virgin Mobile prepaid service in Dollarama stores across Canada; Bell Media's launch of the all-new Crave; BBM's acquisition of Axia NetMedia and award of Alberta's SuperNet contract; and strategic planning for Bell's 5G future.

"The time is right for Mirko to take our company to the next level," said George Cope. "He has been front and centre in the successful execution of Bell's broadband leadership strategy from its beginning. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mirko through the transition to his new role, and will be proud to pass the leadership of Bell to him in 2020 as the 14th chief executive of our company since its founding in 1880."

"It is a profound honour to be chosen as the next CEO of this great Canadian institution. I am grateful for the confidence that our Board, George Cope and the Bell executive team have shown in me, and for the opportunity to have partnered with a CEO as experienced and esteemed as George," said Mr. Bibic.