By Segun Oniyide
Nokia has appointed networking unit head Rajeev Suri as chief executive officer (CEO) following the completion of the sale of its mobile division to Microsoft.
last week Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services business had been completed, ending months of approvals and negotiations, with Nokia CEO Stephen Elop returning to Microsoft as part of the deal.
Suri joined Nokia in 1995 and ran the company’s NSN cellular equipment business.
As Nokia opens this new chapter, the Nokia board and I are confident that Rajeev is the right person to lead the company forward,” Nokia chairman Risto Siilasmaa, who has been interim CEO since the Microsoft deal was announced, said.
“He has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, drive innovation and growth, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver results. We believe that his passion for technology will help ensure that Nokia continues to deliver innovations that have a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Nokia also announced executives Chris Weber and Jo Harlow have joined Elop at Microsoft, while chief legal officer Louise Pentland, human resources boss Juha Äkräs and corporate development head Kai Öistämö are also leaving.
The company also announced better than expected quarterly results, and plans to return US$3.1 billion to shareholders. It is set to embark on a restructuring programme and a US$6.9 billion capital improvement programme.
Additionally, all fundamental business and strategy decisions were made with the support and approval of the Nokia board of directors, of which I was a member.”
