14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish handset vendor Nokia has announced a series of leadership changes and internal restructuring following the adoption of a new strategic direction that makes Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system the primary OS of choice
for new Nokia smartphones.
The company announced that the new strategy also includes significant changes in Nokia's leadership, as well as modifications in its operational structure and approach. Starting today, Nokia has a new leadership team, which should enable it be as competitive as it can be in today's dynamic environment.
The Nokia Leadership Team (the former Group Executive Board) will include the following members: Stephen Elop, Esko Aho, Juha Akras, Jerri DeVard, Colin Giles, Rich Green, Jo Harlow, Timo Ihamuotila, Mary McDowell, Kai Oistamo, Tero Ojanpera, Louise Pentland and Niklas Savander.
The company also announced that Alberto Torres stepped down from the management team, effective February 10th.
“The renewed governance will expedite decision-making and improve time-to-market of products and innovations, placing a heavy focus on results, speed and accountability,” the company announced.
“The new strategy and operational structure are expected to have significant impact to Nokia operations and personnel.”
Among the other changes that Nokia announced today, we can count the creation of two different business units within the company, namely Smart Devices and Mobile Phones, led by Jo Harlow and Mary McDowell, respectively.
Nokia also announced the following changes: Design will be led by Marko Ahtisaari; the CFO Office, led by Timo Ihamuotila; Human Resources will be led by Juha Akras; Legal and Intellectual Property led by Louise Pentland; Corporate Development, led by Kai Oistamo; Corporate Relations & Responsibility, led by Esko Aho.
The following changes to the company's structure were also announced:
Markets will be responsible for selling products, executing compelling marketing and communications, creating a competitive local ecosystem, sourcing, customer care, manufacturing, IT and logistics across all Nokia products. It will be headed by Niklas Savander.
Services and Developer Experience will be responsible for Nokia's global services portfolio, developer offering, developer relations and integration of partner service offerings. Tero Ojanpera will lead the Services and Developer Experience unit in an acting capacity.
NAVTEQ, an integral part of Nokia's location and advertising business, will be headed by Larry Kaplan, and continue as a separate reporting entity.