Nokia India Welcomes New Head Amidst Global Restructuring

In a strategic move to realign its organizational structure, Nokia has appointed Tarun Chhabra as the new head of Nokia India. This appointment is part of a broader global restructuring initiative aimed at optimizing operations and reducing costs. Chhabra, previously serving as the head of mobile networks and senior vice president at Nokia, will now assume leadership responsibilities for the company's operations in India, succeeding Sanjay Malik.

Malik, who has been at the helm of Nokia's Indian market operations for almost eight years as senior vice president, will continue with the company until March 31, 2024, facilitating a seamless transition. Chhabra's role will encompass overseeing the Indian market and managing the mobile networks group's business in India, reporting to Tommi Uitto, the president of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

The restructuring efforts at Nokia are in line with a broader initiative announced last October, aimed at reducing the company's global workforce by 11,000-14,000 jobs. This strategic move reflects Nokia's commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and adapting to evolving market dynamics.

Nokia India has confirmed Chhabra's appointment, effective April 2024, citing alignment with global directives emphasizing customer-centricity and business excellence. However, these organizational changes have led to job cuts across various functions, including customer experience, sales, and marketing.

Despite Nokia's robust financial performance in the Indian market last year, driven by significant 5G contracts with leading telecom operators, challenges have arisen due to a slow deployment by Indian telcos. This resulted in a 33 per cent decline in net sales in the Indian region during October-December 2023, amounting to 379 million euros.

The restructuring process in India commenced following the global announcement in October and extended until December-end. While some employees were asked to resign, others opted for voluntary exits due to role adjustments. Impacted employees were assured of severance packages to support their transition out of the company.

While the exact number of layoffs in India remains undisclosed, Nokia's restructuring underscores its commitment to adaptability and efficiency in a rapidly evolving market environment. As Nokia navigates these changes, the company remains focused on long-term growth, sustainability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.