Following a recent organizational restructuring, Tarun Chhabra has taken on the position of the new head of Nokia India. This change comes in the wake of Nokia’s global restructuring initiative, which was announced in October of the preceding year. In addition to Chhabra’s appointment, the restructuring has entailed streamlining operations across different departments of the company, such as sales and marketing, resulting in workforce reductions.
Nokia’s global restructuring plan, unveiled on October 19, 2023, aimed to restructure its business operations and reduce its global workforce by 11,000-14,000 employees. As part of this initiative, Chhabra takes over from Sanjay Malik, who served as the senior vice president overseeing Nokia’s Indian operations for nearly eight years. Malik is slated to remain with the company until March 31, 2024, before transitioning out.
Under the restructuring, Nokia has granted increased operational autonomy to its global business groups while integrating sales teams into these groups to optimize its operating model. Additionally, the restructuring includes a recalibration of the company’s cost base to ensure profitability amid market uncertainties.
Restructuring efforts at Nokia India have resulted in layoffs across core functions, including customer experience, sales, and marketing. Despite a strong financial performance in the preceding year, primarily fueled by significant 5G contracts, the company reported a 33% decrease in net sales in the Indian market for the October-December 2023 period.
The layoffs, which commenced following the global announcement in October, have impacted numerous employees, including senior executives, some of whom have opted to depart due to role alterations.
The reorganized business now comprises three distinct groups: Mobile Networks, Network Infrastructure, and Cloud Network Services, each with its dedicated sales and marketing teams. Prashant Malkani heads the Network Infrastructure Business Group, while Arvind Khurana leads the Cloud Network Services business in India.
In a statement to Moneycontrol, Nokia stated; Malik has chosen to retire from the company, effective March 31, 2024. During this period, he will facilitate the transition of responsibilities to Tarun. The proposed changes within Nokia India align with global directives across all markets, emphasizing customer-centric approaches and business excellence.
