Ericsson strengthens focus on innovation, makes changes to top team
Created February 9, 2018
News and BusinessEricsson has announced changes to its group structure and Executive Team. A Business Area Emerging Business is created to increase focus on innovation and new business development, with initial focus on IoT and within distributed cloud solutions.
Highlights
• A new Business Area Emerging Business is created to strengthen focus on innovation and new business development to benefit both our customers and Ericsson. Åsa Tamsons is appointed head of Business Area Emerging Business and member of the Ericsson Executive Team
• Simplified group function structure with current Group Function Technology & Emerging Business and Group Function Sustainability & Public Affairs incorporated into other units
• Business Area Digital Services accelerates strategy execution, appoints Jan Karlsson as acting head of unit, search for a new head of unit initiated
Through a structured approach to both technology and business innovation, the unit will over time identify, nurture and scale new businesses to support our customers to capture the potential of 5G and IoT. Effective from April 1, 2018, Åsa Tamsons is appointed Senior Vice President and head of Business Area Emerging Business and member of Ericsson’s Executive Team.
Åsa Tamsons joins Ericsson from McKinsey & Company where she has held the position as partner in McKinsey’s Stockholm office. Her primary focus has been growth strategy, marketing and sales, high tech, and telecommunications, across Europe, the U.S., and Latin America. She has also been based in McKinsey’s San Francisco and Sao Paulo offices.
Simplifying group structure
The company is also simplifying its group function structure, from currently six functions to four. The majority of current Group Function Technology & Emerging Business, including hosted group responsibilities such as the CTO office and Ericsson Research, will form part of Business Area Emerging Business.
Effective February 1, 2018 current Group Function Marketing & Communications and Group Function Sustainability & Public Affairs will be merged into a new Group Function Marketing & Corporate Relations, headed by Helena Norrman, currently head of Group Function Marketing & Communications.
This new group function team will continue to develop the sustainability and corporate responsibility strategic model and secure follow-up and reporting, while responsibility for setting the goals and delivery against targets, will reside in the business area or in units with closest responsibility.
“With these changes we are both simplifying our structure and increasing focus on innovation and new business with the creation of Business Area Emerging Business,” said Börje Ekholm, President & CEO of Ericsson.
“She brings deep expertise in telecoms, business development and digital transformation. With these changes we will also increase focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility in each business area and market area, making the unit heads fully accountable for their respective areas.”
Business Area Digital Services is undergoing significant transformation to create a profitable and strong offering in this strategically important area. Ulf Ewaldsson has decided to step down from leading the unit, following the completion of its build up phase, and assume the role as advisor to the CEO.
Ulf Ewaldsson, currently head of Business Area Digital Services, and Elaine Weidman, currently head of Group Function Sustainability & Public Affairs, will leave the Executive Team effective February 1, 2018. Jan Karlsson, currently head of Solution Area BSS, will step in as acting head of Business Area Digital Services. Ewaldsson will take on a role as advisor to CEO Börje Ekholm. Elaine Weidman-Grunewald has decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities.
