LONDON, UK: Ericsson announced two new appointments to its senior leadership team: Chris Houghton as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Åsa Tamsons as Head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions. Both Mr. Houghton and Ms. Tamsons will report directly to Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson. These appointments reflect Ericsson’s commitment to speed up its business transformation.
Chris Houghton, who currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, Market Area North East Asia, has a 35-year long career at Ericsson and has extensive institutional knowledge across various markets and operational areas of the business. In his new role, Mr. Houghton will focus on cross group initiatives, including ongoing cost efficiency initiatives.
Åsa Tamsons, who is currently the Senior Vice President, Business Area Technologies & New Businesses (BTEB), will take over the role of Head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions. Ms. Tamsons has a proven track-record in developing and growing new businesses. In her new role, Ms. Tamsons will focus on growing Enterprise Wireless Solutions but also to increase the pace towards breakeven.
Börje Ekholm comments on the new appointees: “The COO’s objective will be to strengthen and oversee the operational execution across the Group and to enhance alignment and co-ordination across operational areas. This will enable me to fully focus on the key strategic priorities of our business. I’m glad that Chris with his rich international experience has agreed to take on this new role within Ericsson”.
Börje Ekholm continues: “BTEB’s role within Ericsson is to create and scale strategic growth businesses that deliver long term profit and positive impact on people and our planet. During Åsa’s tenure BTEB has reached profitability and Åsa has done a great job over the last five years. I’m now looking forward to having her head another very important business area within Ericsson and drive growth and profitability improvements.”
The appointments of Chris Houghton and Åsa Tamsons are effective as of November 1, 2023. As of then, Business Area Technologies & New Businesses, will report to the Chief Operating Officer.
Ericsson today also announces that George Mulhern, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions (BEWS), will become advisor to BEWS from November 1, 2023, and retire from Ericsson during 2024. Nunzio Mirtillo, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania & India, will retire from Ericsson during 2024.
Mr. Ekholm comments: “Nunzio has been with Ericsson for 35 years and has contributed immensely to the success of the Company. His dedication and everlasting focus on growth has been an inspiration to me and many colleagues. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
“We are the world’s foremost expert in wireless edge solutions and dedicated networks offerings to enterprises. George has contributed greatly to the process of integrating Cradlepoint into the Ericsson offering. I wish him all the best.”
Recruitment processes to appoint successors to Mr. Houghton as Head of Market Area North East Asia, and Mr. Mirtillo as Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania & India, have been initiated. Mr. Houghton remains in the role until the process has been concluded.