Report: Nokia Network and Solutions' Suri is being considered for Nokia's CEO post

With Microsoft closing in on its purchase of Nokia's Devices and Services division, the Finnish based OEM is in the market for a new CEO. According to those with knowledge of the process, the CEO of Nokia Network and Solutions, Rajeev Suri, is now being considered for the post. Former CEO Stephen Elop is moving to Microsoft to run the acquired Nokia pieces for Microsoft.

Nokia will probably name its new Chief Executive once the deal with Microsoft is completed. The company will be left with a networking gear division, a digital mapping business and a division focused on its patents. According to analyst Richard Windsor from Radio Free Mobile, Nokia Chairman Risto Siilasmaa will have to determine how important each of the three groups is to the company. If Siilasmaa decides to focus on the networks business, Suri will probably be given the nod to replace Elop. The Network and Solutions group was responsible for 94% of Nokia's Q3 revenues after subtracting the phone business, which might give Suri a leg up on the competition.


Siilasmaa might feel less inclined to go outside Nokia to fill the position, considering what happened during Elop's reign. The latter joined Nokia from Microsoft and over the three years that he ran the company, Nokia's stock was cut in half while the handset business was just beginning to gain some traction with the momentum that Windows Phone picked up last year. Another insider being considered for the CEO position is Nokia's current Finance chief Finance Chief Timo Ihamuotila.

source: Bloomberg