Bengaluru, NFAPost: Nokia has appointed Marco Wirén as CFO of the company and member of the Group Leadership Team, replacing current CFO Kristian Pullola. Marco Wirén will join Nokia on September 1, 2020.
Commenting on the new appointment, Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri said he is pleased that Marco will be joining to take the reins of Nokia along with future CEO, Pekka Lundmark.
“I initiated the succession planning with the Board’s support some time ago and, as Nokia’s next CEO, Pekka led the effort to its completion with the selection of Marco Wirén.,” said Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri.
Nokia Future CEO of Pekka Lundmark said Marco Wirén also brings an extensive background in business-to-business and technology companies across the globe with proven track record.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Marco Wirén and am fully confident he will be a terrific member of the Nokia team,” said Nokia Future CEO of Pekka Lundmark on new development in the company.
Marco Wirén, who will be based at the company’s headquarters in Espoo, Finland, is currently President of Wärtsilä Energy and Executive Vice President of Wärtsilä Group, a global leader in smart technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets.
He has held a number of CFO and other senior financial roles, including CFO of Wärtsilä Group; CFO of SSAB Group, a global specialized steel company; and CFO of Eltel Networks, a provider of technical services to the electrical and telecommunications industries.
“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 Marco 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.”
During his time at Wärtsilä, Marco Wirén helped establish the company as a leader in energy storage, streamlined the portfolio to focus on primary value creation opportunities, improved cash performance, strengthened investment decision-making and expanded use of robotics and artificial intelligence. 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.
Kristian Pullola, who has served as Chief Financial Officer since January 2017, will step down as CFO and leave the Group Leadership Team on August 31, 2020. He will remain with the company until around the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri said Kristian Pullola has been with Nokia for 21 years, and 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,” said Nokia President and CEO Rajeev Suri.
Commenting on his stint with Nokia as a memorable journey during his career, Kristian Pullola said serving at Nokia as Chief Financial Officer has been a true honor.
“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,” said Kristian Pullola.
During his time at Nokia, Kristian 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.
About Marco Wirén
Born: 1966
Nationality: Swedish and Finnish
M.Sc. (Econ) in Business Administration, University of Uppsala, 1996
Primary professional experience
Wärtsilä Energy, President, and Wärtsilä Group, Executive Vice President, 2018–
Wärtsilä Group, Executive Vice President and CFO, 2013–2018
SSAB, Executive Vice President and CFO, 2008–2013
SSAB, Vice President Business Control, 2007–2008
Eltel Networks, CFO and VP Business Development, 2002–2007
NCC, VP Business Development and Group Controller, 1995–2001
Positions of trust
Neste Corporation, Vice Chair, Board of Directors
