Nokia announces reorganization and management shuffle

Nokia

Nokia today announced a reorganization. Promising “a simplified company structure for its devices and services business,” Nokia will reorganize its mobile phones and services into three groups: Mobile Solutions, Mobile Phones and Markets.

“In addition to extending our leadership in mobile phones, we are decisively moving to respond faster to growth opportunities we expect in smartphones and mobile computers,” says Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO of Nokia. “Nokia’s new organizational structure is designed to speed up execution and accelerate innovation, both short-term and longer-term. We believe that this will allow us to build stronger mobile solutions – a portfolio of products and integrated services that connect people and enable new ways of communicating, sharing and experiencing mobility.”

The Mobile Solutions group, to be led by Anssi Vanjoki, will focus on high-end mobile computer and smartphone devices based on the MeeGo and Symbian software platforms respectively. The Mobile Phones group will be headed by Mary McDowell and will focus on feature-rich mobile phones and the Series 40 mobile operating system. Each group will have its own portfolio management, R&D and dedicated software assets.

The Markets group will focus on Nokia’s ‘go-to-market’ activities, including sales and marketing as well as the management of Nokia’s global supply chains and sourcing operations. Markets will be headed by Niklas Savander.

The new organizational structure will take effect starting on July 1st.

Nokia sold over 430 million handsets last year but has been facing increasing competition particularly in the smartphone market (from the likes of Apple and RIM among others).

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