Following the announcement of Nokia’s devices and services businesses to be acquired by Microsoft, Nokia also announced changes to its leadership as a result of the proposed transaction. These changes, which are effective immediately, are designed to provide an appropriate corporate governance structure during the interim period following the announcement of this transaction.
The Nokia Leadership Team will continue to consist of the current members, but with changes in positions and reporting lines as outlined below.
Risto Siilasmaa will assume an interim CEO role for Nokia while continuing to serve in his role as Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors. As part of his interim CEO role, Mr. Siilasmaa will, among other tasks, oversee strategy and have four direct reports: Michael Halbherr, Executive Vice President, HERE; Stephen Elop, Executive Vice President, Devices & Services; Timo Ihamuotila, Nokia CFO and interim President; and Jesper Ovesen, Executive Chairman of the NSN Board of Directors.
To avoid the perception of any potential conflict of interest between now and the pending closure of the transaction, Stephen Elop will step aside as President and CEO of Nokia Corporation, resign from the Board of Directors, and will become Executive Vice President, Devices & Services. The following Nokia Leadership Team members will report to Mr. Elop: Marko Ahtisaari, Executive Vice President, Design; Jo Harlow, Executive Vice President, Smart Devices; Juha Putkiranta, Executive Vice President, Operations; Timo Toikkanen, Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones; and Chris Weber, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
Timo Ihamuotila becomes President of Nokia for the interim period while also continuing to serve as CFO. Mr. Ihamuotila will assume the responsibility of chairing the Nokia Leadership Team. The following Nokia Leadership Team members will report to Mr. Ihamuotila: Louise Pentland, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer; Henry Tirri, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Juha Äkräs, Executive Vice President, Human Resources; and Kai Öistämö, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development.
We expect that Mr. Elop, Ms. Harlow, Mr. Putkiranta, Mr. Toikkanen, and Mr. Weber would transfer to Microsoft at the anticipated closing.
Mr. Ahtisaari has decided to again pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. He will step down from the Nokia Leadership Team and his position as Executive Vice President, Design, effective as from November 1, 2013. He will continue to work on activities related to the transaction through November 30, 2013. Effective November 1, 2013 Stefan Pannenbecker will start leading Design, reporting to Mr. Elop.
This announcement does not change the current leadership for Nokia Solutions and Networks. Rajeev Suri will continue to serve as CEO, NSN, reporting to NSN’s Board which continues to be chaired by Jesper Ovesen who continues to serve as NSN’s Executive Chairman and reports to Mr. Siilasmaa.
Nokia Board of Directors
To avoid the perception of any potential conflict of interest between now and the pending closure of the transaction, Stephen Elop will resign from the Nokia Board of Directors effective today. The Nokia Board currently consists of the following nine members: Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman; Jouko Karvinen, Vice Chairman; Bruce Brown; Elizabeth Doherty; Henning Kagermann; Helge Lund; Mårten Mickos; Elizabeth Nelson and Kari Stadigh. As a result of Mr. Siilasmaa assuming the interim CEO role, and in line with good corporate governance, Mr. Siilasmaa will no longer be a member and Chairman of the Corporate Governance & Nomination Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee currently consists of the following three members: Mr. Kagermann, Mr. Karvinen and Mr. Lund. The Board elected Mr. Karvinen as the Chairman of the Corporate Governance & Nomination Committee. The composition of the Personnel Committee and the Audit Committee remain unchanged.
Source: Nokia