(Telecompaper) Vodafone Group plans to set up a new hub in London for its global product and services innovation and development activity. This will bring the company closer to its customers in Europe, Africa and India, and exploit available technology skills and talent in the UK and Europe. Vodafone will move the Xone hub from its existing base in Silicon Valley to London. It will be responsible for the global development and incubation of new and emerging technologies. Pratapa Bernard has been appointed as the new head of Vodafone xone reporting to Parisse, Vodafone's consumer services director. Bernard formerly led Vodafone's consumer services business in emerging markets and succeeds Fay Arjomandi, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.