Mika Vehviläinen appointed as Finnair’s new president and CEO

Espoo, Finland - November 11, 2009

Leaves Nokia Siemens Networks at end of 2009; no replacement will be sought

Mika Vehviläinen, currently chief operating officer of Nokia Siemens Networks, has been appointed as Finnair’s President and CEO as of 1 February 2010. Vehviläinen will leave Nokia Siemens Networks at the end of 2009 and join Finnair on 5 January 2010.

“Mika will leave us at the end of the year with our best wishes and gratitude,” said Rajeev Suri, chief executive officer, Nokia Siemens Networks. “As one of the founders of our company, he leaves a solid structure for a new generation of leaders build on.”

As chief operating officer, Vehviläinen was instrumental in the creation of Nokia Siemens Networks and the company’s new structure, announced last week. As a result of this change, which comes into effect from 1 January 2010, new executive board positions have been created for the heads of the company’s Business Solutions and Network Systems organizations, as well as a new role of chief technology officer. As a result there are no plans to seek a replacement for Vehviläinen as chief operating officer.

“Nokia Siemens Networks has great people, deep presence with leading customers all over the world, a competitive product portfolio, one of the lowest cost structures in the industry, a world-leading services organization and much more,” said Vehviläinen. “As I worked to drive the structural change we announced last week, it was clear to me that the right change for the company and our customers would reduce the role of a dedicated chief operating officer. When Finnair approached me, it seemed like the right opportunity at the right time.”

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