Vodafone's Arun Sarin could be new Yahoo CEO: Report

The recently retired Vodafone group CEO Arun Sarin could well be in the running for the position of CEO of internet major Yahoo Inc, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Sarin gave up his top job at Vodafone in July 2008, handing over charge in July to his second in command, Vittorio Colao, who runs the company's European operations. Under Sarin's reign, Vodafone moved back into the black by moving into developing markets such as India and Turkey, and moving out of slower-growing markets such as Japan.

Last month Yahoo hired a search firm to look for a successor to Yang who announced he was exiting his position (See: Founder Jerry Yang exits CEO's position at Yahoo! ) of the firm he founded founded 13 years ago when he was a graduate student at Stanford University.

The report, quoting unnamed sources, said that the Yahoo board of directors is on the look out for a new CEO to succeed Jerry Yang, and have done some references checks. It said a decision was likely within a few weeks, and amongst those under consideration is Arun Sarin, who retired recently in July 2008 as the chief executive of Vodafone Group Plc.

Sarin was at the helm of the global cellular service provider for five years before sigining off in July this year. 53-year old Sarin handed over Vodafone's helm to his second in command, Vittorio Colao, who ran the company's European operations.

Under Sarin's reign, Vodafone moved back into the black by moving into developing markets such as India and Turkey, and moving out of slower-growing markets such as Japan.
Around a month ago, Yahoo Inc had announced the movement of its CEO Jerry Yang, the co-founder of Yahoo!, from the position of CEO and onto his earlier role as "chief Yahoo!". Yang moved on after months of criticism from various quarters on issues ranging from his decision to shun Microsoft's $47.5 billion buyout offer.

At the time of his exit from Vodafone, reports had quoted commentators as saying that Sarin might consider roles at a large buyout firm or accept board seats at large international companies.