Accelerating the execution of company strategy by cutting mobile networks division down the middle
Nokia has announced changes in its organisational structure and group leadership team effective from 1 April 2017, including that its mobile networks division will be cut into two to aid in moving the company strategy forward.
Nokia’s current Mobile Networks business group is being split into two distinct but closely linked organisations: one focused on products and solutions, called Mobile Networks, and the other on services, called Global Services.
In addition, the company’s chief innovation and operating officer organisation will be split, with its current operating activities moved to a newly-appointed chief operating officer organisation, innovation activities to Nokia’s chief technology officer and incubation to Nokia’s chief strategy officer.
“These changes are designed to accelerate the execution of our strategy,” said Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri. “They will strengthen our ability to deliver strong financial performance, drive growth in services, meet changing customer demands in mobile networks, achieve our cost saving and ongoing transformation goals, and enable strategic innovation across our networks business.”
On the group leadership team, Marc Rouanne, currently chief innovation and operating officer, will become president of the Mobile Networks business group, responsible for mobile products and solutions, including 4G, 5G, cloud core, small cells and other advanced mobile solutions. Rouanne will remain on the group leadership team, reporting to Suri.
Igor Leprince, currently executive VP of global services, will take the role of president of Global Services, a new business group comprised of the services organisation that currently resides within the existing Mobile Networks business group, including company-wide managed services. Leprince will join the group leadership team as a new member, reporting to Suri.
Monika Maurer, currently chief operating officer of Fixed Networks, will assume the position of Group COO, responsible for Nokia’s operating model, Global Operations (manufacturing and supply chain), procurement, implementation of cost saving and ongoing transformation activities, information technology, real estate, and quality. Maurer will join the group leadership team as a new member, reporting to Suri.
Marcus Weldon, currently president of Nokia Bell Labs and CTO, will retain those responsibilities and join the group leadership team as a new member, reporting to Suri.
Kathrin Buvac, chief strategy officer, will assume additional responsibilities for incubation of select new business opportunities, and Barry French, chief marketing officer, will assume additional responsibilities for health, safety, security and environment. They will both remain on the group leadership team, reporting to Suri.
With the integration of Alcatel-Lucent largely complete, Samih Elhage has decided to leave Nokia to pursue new opportunities. Elhage will continue in his current role and as a member of the group leadership team until 1 April 2017, and will remain as an advisor to the company through 31 May 2017.
“From helping lead the transformation at Nokia Siemens Networks and creating a disciplined operating model that remains a competitive advantage, to being one of the driving forces behind the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent and its fast and successful integration, Samih’s contributions to Nokia have been remarkable,” said Suri. “He has been a close friend and advisor through times both good and bad, and I fully support his desire for a change.”
