Nokia names Rajeev Suri as new CEO

Suri, 46, until now led Nokia Solutions and Networks

Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia today appointed India-born Rajeev Suri as its President and CEO.

Earlier, the 46-year old was leading Nokia Solutions and Networks, the smaller network equipment unit of Nokia before the company sold its handset business to software giant Microsoft in a $7.2 billion deal.

He replaces Stephen Elop, who has returned to Microsoft as the executive vice president of its devices group.

Besides, Risto Siilasmaa, who was serving as an interim CEO, will return to focussing exclusively on his role as Chairman of Nokia's Board of Directors from May 1.

"As Nokia opens this new chapter, the Nokia Board and I are confident that Rajeev is the right person to lead the company forward. He has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, drive innovation and growth, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver results," Nokia Board of Directors Chairman Risto Siilasmaa said.

"Nokia, with its deep experience in connecting people and its three strong businesses, is well-positioned to tap new opportunities during this time of technological change. I look forward to working with the entire Nokia team as we embark on this exciting journey," Suri said.

Like the newly appointed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Suri is also a Mangalore University graduate. He joins the elite club of Indians heading global firms, which includes PepsiCo Chairman Indra Nooyi, Reckitt Benckiser Chief Executive Rakesh Kapoor, President and Chief Executive of MasterCard Ajay Banga and Anshu Jain of Deutsche Bank.

Suri, who has headed NSN since October 2009, has been credited for "presiding over consistently improving results leading to the successful turnaround and restructuring of the company."

According to his official profile, Suri has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Mangalore University. He is based in Espoo, Finland.

With more than 23 years of international experience, Suri has worked in strategy and mergers & acquisitions, product marketing, sales, major account leadership, regional and business unit leadership and has lived in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Suri joined Nokia in 1995 and headed the Asia Pacific region for NSN in 2007.

In July last year, Nokia agreed to buy German engineering giant Siemens' 50 per cent stake in their mobile broadband joint venture NSN for 1.7 billion euros ($2.2 billion) after which the firm was renamed Nokia Solutions and Networks.

Nokia's other businesses -- HERE (location services) and Technologies will be headed by Michael Halbherr (CEO of HERE) and Henry Tirri (Executive Vice President and acting Head of Technologies).