Nokia moves forward with management succession plan

Nokia moves forward with management succession plan

The Board of Directors has appointed Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, 52, President and Chief Operating Officer effective October 1, 2005, and President and Chief Executive Officer from June 1, 2006. Mr. Kallasvuo joined Nokia in 1980 and currently heads the Mobile Phones business group. Prior to this he worked as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors will propose to the next annual general meeting that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jorma Ollila, 54, continues after June 1, 2006 as Non-Executive Chairman. The Committee has received Mr. Ollila’s confirmation that he is available for this position.

Nokia’s current President, Pekka Ala-Pietilä, will resign to pursue personal interests. He will take on the role of Executive Advisor as of October 1 and leave Nokia on February 1, 2006. Paul Collins, Vice Chairman of the Nokia Board, says: “The Nokia Board has had in place a succession process in anticipation of Jorma Ollila’s retirement with the objective of maintaining vitality, adapting to a rapidly evolving industry, and ensuring continuity. The Board is convinced that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, with his strong industry credentials and over 20 years of experience at Nokia, will provide the required leadership for the Company in the future.”

“Jorma Ollila, our CEO for over 13 years and Chairman for over 6 years, has built the modern Nokia that we know today. Therefore we are pleased that Mr. Ollila has agreed to remain as the Chairman of the Board. This will provide for an orderly transition while giving the Company access to his understanding of our business, our industry and its challenges and opportunities.”

More: press.nokia.com