Page 51 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Pekka Lundmark Appointed President and CEO of Nokia

over time. Pekka is an excellent choice for
Nokia. I look forward to working with him
on a smooth transition and wish him the
best success in his new role.” “On behalf
of the entire Board of Directors I would like
to thank Rajeev for his many contributions
to Nokia, where he has served with both
honor and distinction,” said Siilasmaa.
“Rajeev’s loyalty, commitment, and deep
personal integrity have served as an
example to all of Nokia. I know that Rajeev
will, like myself, always have Nokia blue
running through his veins.” Suri will leave
his current position on August 31, 2020
and continue to serve as an advisor to the
Nokia Board until January 1, 2021. During
Nokia’s Board of Directors has appointed so many talented people,” said Lundmark. his tenure as CEO of Nokia and Nokia
Pekka Lundmark as President and Chief “Together we can create shareholder value Siemens Networks, Suri led a significant
Executive Officer of Nokia. Lundmark by delivering on Nokia’s mission to create consolidation of the telecommunications
is expected to start in his new role on the technology to connect the world. I infrastructure sector; a fundamental
September 1, 2020. Lundmark is currently am confident that the company is well- turnaround of Nokia Siemens Networks
President and CEO of Fortum, a leading positioned for the 5G era and it is my goal including the disposal of multiple non-core
energy company based in Espoo, Finland, to ensure that we meet our commitments assets; massive growth in the company’s
where he consistently delivered robust to our customers, employees, shareholders highly profitable patent licensing business;
total shareholder returns, successfully and other stakeholders. Strong values, the integration of Alcatel-Lucent; and
renewed the company’s strategy, and leading innovation and unflinching successful diversification into new
positioned it to be a strong player in the commitment to our customers have software and enterprise markets. Under
transforming global energy sector. Prior always been core to Nokia and I want to his leadership, Nokia became one of the
to Fortum, Lundmark served as President put this even more at our center as we top two players in telecommunications
and CEO of Konecranes, a global material- move forward.” Rajeev Suri, Nokia’s current infrastructure, rising from a number four
handling technology leader, and from President and CEO, indicated earlier to the position, with the scope and scale for long-
1990-2000 he held multiple executive Board that he was considering stepping term success. “Pekka is the right person
positions at Nokia, including Vice President down from his role at some point in to lead Nokia in the coming years,” said
of Strategy and Business Development at the future, provided a solid succession Sari Baldauf, Nokia Board Vice Chair and
Nokia Networks. Lundmark holds a Master plan was in place. Nokia’s Board of Chair nominee. “I look forward to working
of Science degree from Helsinki University Directors has conducted a structured closely with him and Nokia’s leadership
of Technology. He will be based in Espoo, process for CEO succession and has team to build an even stronger company,
Finland. “With the acquisition of Alcatel- been working closely with Suri to develop one well positioned for the future.” “I would
Lucent behind us and the world of 5G in internal candidates and identify external also like to extend my personal thanks to
front of us, I am pleased that Pekka has candidates. That process culminated Rajeev,” continued Baldauf. “He has been
agreed to join Nokia,” said Risto Siilasmaa, on March 2, 2020, when Nokia’s Board at the heart of a dramatic transformation
Nokia Board Chair. “He has a record of of Directors made the decision to move of Nokia into one of the top players in
leadership and shareholder value creation forward with Lundmark’s appointment. the telecommunications infrastructure
at large business-to-business companies; “After 25 years at Nokia, I have wanted to industry. His time at Nokia has been
deep experience in telecommunications do something different,” said Suri. “Nokia characterized by significant achievements,
networks, industrial digitization, and key will always be part of me, and I want to a relentless customer focus and a clear
markets such as the United States and thank everyone that I have worked with commitment to building a company culture
China; and a focus on strategic clarity, over the years for helping make Nokia a based on both performance and respect.
operational excellence and strong financial better place and me a better leader. I leave Rajeev leaves Nokia with my gratitude and
performance.” “I am honored to have the the company with a belief that a return to appreciation for all he has done for the
opportunity to lead Nokia, an extraordinary better performance is on the horizon and company.”
company that has so much potential and with pride for what we have accomplished

51 MARCH 2020