With Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services division, the Finland-based company has appointed a new president and chief executive officer (CEO) for Nokia Corporation.

Effective May 1, the Nokia Board of Directors named Rajeev Suri as president and CEO of the company. Suri is not an unfamiliar face within Nokia as he joined the corporation in 1995 and held numerous roles. His latest role was CEO of the former joint venture between Nokia and Siemens known as NSN, which is now fully owned by Nokia.

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"[Suri] has a proven ability to create strategic clarity, drive innovation and growth, ensure disciplined execution, and deliver results," said Nokia Board of Directors Chairman Risto Siilasmaa. "We believe that his passion for technology will help ensure that Nokia continues to deliver innovations that have a positive impact on people's lives."

Siilasmaa, who noted his confidence in Suri in leading the company, had occupied the CEO position at Nokia on an interim basis since Sept. 3, 2013. With his interim CEO status over, Siilasmaa will revert his focus as the company's board of director's chairman. Timo Ihamuotila will also step down as the company's interim president.

In a statement by the new Nokia CEO, Suri stated he was "honored" to be asked to take the role and "excited" about the company's future.

"Nokia, with its deep experience in connecting people and its three strong businesses, is well-positioned to tap new opportunities during this time of technological change," added Suri. "I look forward to working with the entire Nokia team as we embark on this exciting journey."

With the new president and CEO appointment, Nokia revealed its next target that will be established in three key areas: "connectivity capable of handling massive numbers of devices and exponential increases in data traffic; location services that seamlessly bridge between the real and virtual worlds; and innovation, including in sensing, radio and low power technologies."

According to Suri, technology is on the "verge of change," and it could rival the impact as the creation of the Internet. Suri added that with Nokia's three strong businesses - Networks, HERE and Technologies - they can achieve their goal as "leader in the technologies for a world where everybody and everything is connected."

"Nokia's strategy is to develop its three businesses in order to realize its vision of being a technology leader in a connected world and, in turn, create long-term shareholder value," Suri said. "Our goal is to optimize the company so that each business is best enabled to meet its goals. Where it makes sense to do so, we will pursue shared opportunities between the businesses, but not at the expense of focus and discipline in each."

Nokia also named new appoints following the departure of several key figures transferring to Microsoft such as Stephen Elop, Jo Harlow, Juha Putkiranta, Timo Toikkanen, and Chris Weber. Nokia revealed Hans-Jürgen Bill as executive vice president of human resources, Barry French as executive vice president of marketing and corporate affairs, and Maria Varsellona as executive vice president and chief legal officer. The new appointments will also start their roles on May 1.

Suri added, "Nokia has a strong and proven team of leaders. We intend to move fast to further refine our execution plan, build the right company culture, and institute the necessary operational governance and performance management systems."

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