Vivendi won an important vote to appoint four executives to Telecom Italia’s board, and succeeded in blocking a share conversion proposal that would have seen its stake reduced, as it secured more influence over the operator.

In a surprise result, Vivendi landed a 53 per cent majority in shareholder voting to increase the number of Telecom Italia’s board members from 13 to 17.

Vivendi, Telecom Italia’s largest shareholder, is now clear to appoint its chief executive Arnaud de Puyfontaine, COO Stephane Roussel, CFO Herve Philippe and consultant Felicite Herzog to the board.

Ahead of the meeting, winning the vote was not certain after minority investors in Telecom Italia expressed concerns, and a leading proxy advisory firm advised shareholders to vote against the request.

The share conversion vote, which would have seen Vivendi’s stake in the operator diluted from 20.1 per cent to 14 per cent, also went in favour of the French media group.

This, however, was widely expected after Vivendi said earlier this week it would abstain from the vote, significantly hindering Telecom Italia’s chances of getting the two thirds majority required to push through the proposal.

Representatives for 62.5 per cent of the attending share capital voted in favour of the plans, while 36.1 per cent abstained, largely made up of Vivendi votes, thus blocking the move. About 56 per cent of the company’s overall ordinary share capital was represented at the meeting.

The move would have also diluted the potential stake held by French entrepreneur Xavier Niel, who has emerged as a surprise investor with options on a 15.1 stake in the company.

Guiseppe Recchi, Telecom Italia’s chairman, who headed up the meeting, has reportedly since apologised for the result.

“We are sorry. We have missed an opportunity for the company,” according to Financial Times.

Vivendi, which is seeking to influence a strategy at Telecom Italia related to its ambitions around content in Southern Europe, is now looking at building its stake in the operator to 25 per cent, reports the publication.

It has spent €3 billion so far.