Alcatel-Lucent names Verwaayen as Russo successor

Former BT frontman to head up troubled communications vendor

Former BT chief executive and ex-Lucent executive Ben Verwaayen has been unveiled as the successor to Pat Russo as Alcatel-Lucent's chief executive.

Alcatel’s former chief operating officer, Mike Quigley, was tipped as favorite to fill the role, which Russo resigned from in July.

Philippe Camus will replace Serge Tchuruk as non-executive chairman as the communications vendor unveiled its new-look management team.

In a statement the Board said: “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.”

Verwaayen joins Alcatel from BT where he was chief executive and was formerly vice-chairman of the management board of Lucent Technologies in the US.

Prior to Lucent Technologies he worked with KPN in the Netherlands for nine years as president and managing director of its telecom subsidiary, PTT telecom.
Before that, Verwaayen worked for ITT, a predecessor of Alcatel.

Verwaayen said: “Alcatel-Lucent has a lot to offer: technological excellence, leading market positions worldwide, in developed as well as emerging countries and a strong customer focus.

“The company operates in a quickly changing market and therefore is evolving. I'm truly delighted to become the chief executive of Alcatel-Lucent, leading a company with vast assets and great talents, while recognising the difficulties and challenges ahead. I am committed to building significant and sustain.”

Camus was previously the co-chief executive at European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and managed a large, global business in the high-tech industry.