Esko Aho too Going Out of Nokia Leadership Team
Close on the heels of announcing the ouster of its sales head Colin Giles, Nokia is going to relieve another top executive from its leadership team.
The company said today that Esko Aho has been appointed to the role of Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School, the school at Harvard University dedicated to study and engagement in public policy and public administration.
As a Senior Fellow, Aho will pursue research on the changing role of the state in maintaining welfare and global competitiveness. Aho will continue to represent Nokia and drive the company’s governmental affairs as a consultative partner, although he will step down from the Nokia leadership team, effective August 31, 2012 out of respect for the demands of the Harvard appointment, Nokia stated.
[ Also Read: Ross Levinsohn Replaces Scott Thompson as Yahoo! CEO ]“Today’s public problems and opportunities increasingly require collaboration between public and private institutions – between business and government,” said John Haigh, the center’s co-director and Executive Dean of Harvard Kennedy School.
“Mr. Aho brings a unique perspective on how these different institutions can work together more effectively. He has vast experience in government, particularly as Prime Minister of Finland, and in senior executive roles at Nokia. He can help bridge the perspectives of many sectors, enabling the collaboration necessary to solve some of the most intractable public problems. We are pleased he will be joining us as a Senior Fellow.”
“Esko has made an immeasurable contribution to Nokia’s corporate and government relations, bringing unique insights and political acumen,” said Stephen Elop, president and CEO of Nokia. “I am certain that Esko will enjoy the challenges the world of academia offers, and we look forward to Esko’s continued contributions to Nokia’s governmental relations in the future.”
[ Also Read: Nokia’s Troubles Continue as Q1 Results Disappoint ]Aho (pictured above) joined Nokia in 2008. He has served as executive vice president, Corporate Relations and Responsibility and as a member of the Nokia leadership team since the beginning of 2009.
In this role, he has led Nokia’s government and public affairs function, overseeing the company’s global policies and activities regarding sustainable development and social responsibility.
Photo courtesy: Nokia
