Alcatel-Lucent Names New CEO & Chairman
Alcatel-Lucent has announced the appointment of Philippe Camus as the company’s non-executive Chairman from the beginning of October and former BT CEO, Ben Verwaayen as the company’s new CEO - replacing Serge Tchuruk and Pat Russo respectively.
Philippe Camus, 60 was the Co-CEO at European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) and managed a large, global business in the high-tech industry. His experience in running a company which was largely split between two countries is expected to be an asset in trying to stitch the USA-French parts of Alcatel-Lucent together.
Ben Verwaayen, 56 is a Dutch national and has intensive telecommunications and IT experience spanning many years. He was CEO of BT from February 2002 to June 1, 2008. Ben was formerly vice-chairman of the management board of Lucent Technologies in the US, which he joined in September 1997. Prior to that, he worked with KPN in the Netherlands for nine years as president and managing director of its telecom subsidiary, PTT telecom. Before that, Ben worked for ITT, a predecessor of Alcatel.
“Philippe Camus and Ben Verwaayen are respected and experienced business leaders. Their understanding of this industry with its challenges and opportunities make them the perfect choice to lead and guide Alcatel-Lucent as it moves into this next stage in its development,” said the Board in a written statement. “Philippe Camus has experience in several high-tech global industries, including the fast-growing media sector, as well as in managing multi-cultural environment. Ben Verwaayen’s years of experience in this industry have given him great insight into Alcatel-Lucent. He also has deep understanding of the industry trends and customer needs and is fully committed to innovation, technological excellence and unsurpassed customer service.”
Ben Verwaayen’s office will be in the company’s headquarters in Paris.
Posted to the site on 2nd September 2008
