With the new position effective 1 September, Wirén is due to join Nokia on the same day as new CEO Pekka Lundmark, whose appointment was announced in March.
Lundmark commented: “Marco has deep financial and leadership experience, a sharp focus on driving operational excellence, and a demonstrated record of success. He also brings an extensive background in business-to-business and technology companies. I am looking forward to working closely with him and am fully confident he will be a terrific member of the Nokia team.”
Much like Lundmark, Wirén joins Nokia from the energy sector, specifically smart technology and energy storage firm Wärtsilä Energy and Wärtsilä Group, where he most recently held the positions of president and EVP, respectively.
He has previously worked as CFO of Wärtsilä Group, CFO of SSAB Group, and CFO of Eltel Networks. He also currently serves as vice board chair of Neste, a €28 billion market cap company that provides renewable energy solutions. Wirén holds an M.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Uppsala.
“I am pleased that Marco will be joining us to take the reins of Nokia along with our future CEO, Pekka Lundmark,” said Rajeev Suri, Nokia’s outgoing president and CEO. “I initiated the succession planning with the board’s support and, as Nokia’s next CEO, Pekka led the effort to its completion with the selection of Marco.”
In its interim report for Q1, Nokia reported full year net sales of €23.3 billion in 2019, compared to €22.6 billion in full year 2018.
On Covid-19 it noted that Q1 was hit by disruptions in Chinese manufacturing, and a “top line impact of” €200 million has been confirmed. However, the company expects the “majority of Covid impact” to be felt in Q2.
Nokia also reported that “5G deal momentum continues” and noted 70 commercial deals and 21 live networks. In May, Nokia recorded world-record 5G speeds of 4.7Gbps.
In May it was confirmed that Sari Baldauf was to head the Nokia board as chair, replacing Risto Siilasmaa, who had been at the helm for eight years.
“Nokia is one of the world’s iconic global companies and I am excited to be joining as the 5G era gets fully underway,” said Wirén.
“I have deep respect for the company and its culture and look forward to helping create value for shareholders and other stakeholders in the years to come.”
On Pullola’s departure, Suri commented: “Kristian has been with Nokia for 21 years, and I know he is looking forward to the opportunity to pursue a new path.
“His commitment, integrity and deep belief in Nokia and its values has served as an example to all of us. I have worked closely with him in both good times and bad, and could not have asked for a more dedicated, intelligent colleague. All of Nokia owes him their thanks and he certainly has mine.”
Pullola will remain with Nokia until 2020-end, “to ensure a smooth transition”. Nokia said that during his time with the firm, Pullola played a “key role in the transactions that transformed Nokia to a global leader in telecommunications infrastructure, including the sale of the devices business to Microsoft and the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent”.
He also led company-level performance management processes and helped reduce overall fixed costs substantially. “Pullola transformed the finance function into a process-led business partner while enhancing productivity,” Nokia continued.
“Serving at Nokia has been a true honour,” said Pullola. “I am fully committed to working with Marco on a smooth transition and am confident that I leave Nokia on a path to continued future improvement. It has been a great journey and one that I will always cherish.”
