Nokia named former Infinera boss David Heard as its next President of Network Infrastructure (NI), with the executive set to take the reins next month ahead of current chief Federico Guillen’s retirement.
The vendor confirmed Guillen will step down from his role and exit Nokia’s Group Leadership Team on 30 June 2025, with his retirement effective at the end of the year. Heard, who currently serves as chief strategic growth officer for the business, will assume the NI leadership post and join the top executive team on 1 July 2025.
Heard joined Nokia in February following its acquisition of equipment supplier Infinera, where he served as CEO. The executive has also held senior roles at major communications players including AT&T, US-based equipment company JDSU and platform developer BigBand Networks.
In his new role, Heard will be based in Dallas and report directly to President and CEO Justin Hotard.
Commenting on the leadership overhaul, Hotard credited outgoing chief Guillen with building a “high-performing and profitable business” and overseeing key structural changes, including the divestment of Nokia’s Submarine Networks unit and the integration of Infinera.
Looking ahead, Hotard highlighted Heard’s “proven track record of scaling businesses and driving innovation,” pointing to his “deep expertise of hyperscalers and AI-optimised solutions to the business”.
In a separate move, Nokia appointed Victoria Hanrahan as chief of staff to the President and CEO, effective immediately. Based in Espoo, Finland, she will join the Group Leadership Team and focus on strategic and operational execution across the organisation.
Hanrahan has previously held several senior roles at organisations including Hewlett Packard Enterprise.