Nokia Siemens Networks chief to quit

HELSINKI: Nokia Siemens Networks said Tuesday that its CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie will leave the company, to be replaced by insider Rajeev Suri on Oct 1.

Beresford-Wylie joined Nokia Corp, the word's biggest mobile phone maker, in 1998. He has headed the Finnish-German networks joint venture since its formation in April 2007.

Nokia gave no reason for his departure, but Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia CEO and chairman of the board of Nokia Siemens Networks, said he respects Beresford-Wylie's ``decision to pursue opportunities in a new industry after 27 years in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.''

``He leaves a remarkable legacy as the architect of Nokia Siemens Networks and as a close friend,'' Kallasvuo said.

Suri, 41, who heads the services sector of Nokia Siemens, has been in the telecommunications industry for 20 years.

Nokia Siemens Networks, based in Espoo just outside Helsinki, is one of the world's biggest makers of wireless networks and a 50-50 joint venture of Nokia and Siemens AG. The company employs some 60,000 people.