Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Nokia Chair Sari Baldauf to Step Down
Nokia, a big company that used to make mobile phones, is changing its leaders.
The current chair, Sari Baldauf, is stepping down, and Timo Ihamuotila, who used to be the finance chief, will take her place.
This is happening as Nokia is trying to become more important in areas like artificial intelligence and data centers.
The company's stock price went down a bit when this news came out.
Nokia is also going through big changes to become more successful in the future.
Nokia's chair, Sari Baldauf, will step down and be succeeded by Timo Ihamuotila.
The change is part of Nokia's push into AI and data center demand.
Nokia's shares dropped 6% in early trading in Helsinki.
Baldauf has been chair since 2020 and was an executive at Nokia from 1994 to 2005.
Ihamuotila was Nokia’s CFO from 2009 to 2016 and is currently vice chair.
- Who
- Sari Baldauf (current chair), Timo Ihamuotila (successor)
- What
- Leadership change at Nokia
- When
- Announced on 29 January
- Where
- Helsinki, Finland
- Why
- Part of Nokia's restructuring and push into AI
- Current Chair
- Sari Baldauf
- Successor
- Timo Ihamuotila
- Announcement Date
- 29 January
- Baldauf's Tenure
- 2020-2024
- Ihamuotila's Previous Role
- Vice Chair and CFO (2009-2016)
- Company's Focus
- AI and data centre demand
- Stock Performance
- 6% drop in early trading