Digicel appoints former Nokia CEO as chairman

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Operators; 30 November 2023; 18733 views

Caribbean and Central America-based mobile operator Digicel revealed former Inmarsat and Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri will take the reins as Chairman Designate from the company’s Founder Denis O’Brien.

In a statement, Digicel detailed Suri will take over after the company restructures its operations, and he will be based in London.

Suri had worked in multiple senior executive roles in the telecoms industry for around 35 years, most recently as CEO of Inmarsat, a role he stood down from in May as part of Viasat’s acquistion of the company.

Digicel noted Suri delivered “record financial performance” at Inmarsat and organised the exit for private equity and pension fund shareholders.

Prior to that role, he was president and CEO of Nokia form 2014 to 2020, and CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks since 2009. O’Brien will continue to serve on the board and hold his shares in the operator.

On Suri's appointment, O’Brien said: “I am delighted to welcome Rajeev as Chairman Designate. Given his impressive track record of delivery over 35 years, I know he will both add value and create value for all our stakeholders. He joins superb local teams across the Caribbean and Central America with whom it has been my privilege to work for over 25 years. He is the ideal leader to deliver on Digicel’s next phase of growth.”

The Irish Times reported, as part of Digicel's debt restructuring plan, O’Brien will cut his 99.9% stake to 10% to write off almost US$2 billion in debt. A timeframe for the completion of the restructure was not given.