Ericsson shakes up exec team to ‘accelerate business transformation’

Chris Houghton has been appointed to chief operating officer and Åsa Tamsons will assume the role of head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions

Ericsson is shaking up its executive team with two major developments: Chris Houghton has been appointed to chief operating officer (COO), and Åsa Tamsons will assume the role of head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions. Both parties will report to Ericsson President and CEO Börje Ekholm, and according to the company, the news “underscores” its commitment to “accelerating its business transformation.”

Chris Houghton is currently senior vice president of Market Area North East Asia and has been with Ericsson for 35 years. In his new role, Houghton will focus on cross group initiatives, such as Ericsson’s cost efficiency initiatives. “The Chief Operating Officer’s objective will be to strengthen and oversee the operational execution across the Group and to enhance alignment and co-ordination across operational areas,” commented Ekholm. “This will enable me to fully focus on the key strategic priorities of our business. I’m happy that Chris with his extensive international experience has accepted to take on this new role within Ericsson.”

In her new role, Åsa Tamsons, who is currently serving as senior vice president of Business Area Technologies & New Businesses (BTEB), will focus on growing Enterprise Wireless Solutions and increase the pace towards breakeven, stated Ericsson. “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… I’m now looking forward to having her head another very important business area within Ericsson and drive growth and profitability improvements,” commented Ekholm.

Both appointments are effective as of November 1, 2023.

In addition to the above changes, Ericsson also announced 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; and Nunzio Mirtillo, senior vice president and head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania & India, will retire from Ericsson during 2024.