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Tele2 chief replaced after differences
19 February 2010
Lars Nilsson is to replace Harri Koponen as CEO of Tele2 after Kopenen left because of differences with the board
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Tele2
Sweden
Harri Koponen
Lars Nilsson
Harri Koponen, CEO of Swedish telecom operator Tele2, has resigned from his duties and has been replaced by CFO Lars Nilsson. The company stated “irreconcilable differences” over leadership as the reason for the move. Koponen has been leading the group since August 2008.
Tele2’s board of directors has appointed Nilsson as interim CEO while the company looks for a permanent replacement. The strategic direction of Tele2 will remain unchanged, said chairman Vigo Carlund.
Koponen earlier served as deputy CEO of TeliaSonera, Sweden’s biggest telephone company. He will receive 18 months’ severance pay. The board is looking internally and externally for a replacement and is likely to make the appointment “in a couple of months”, said the company.
During Koponen’s tenure, Tele2 sold many of its business ventures in well-established western European markets. It shifted focus further east, including Russia, in order to seek better growth opportunities. GTB