Telia Company Appoints Allison Kirkby as its President and CEO

The Board of Telia Company has appointed Allison Kirkby as President and CEO of Telia Company. Allison has extensive experience from various positions within the telecommunications industry, most recently as Group CEO and President of TDC Group.

She will assume the position during the second quarter of 2020. Christian Luiga will remain as acting President and CEO and then return to his role as Executive Vice President and CFO of Telia Company.

As previously announced, the recruitment process was initiated in August with support of an external recruitment firm. The key search criteria were identified by interviews with the members of the Nomination Committee, members of the Board and members of Telia Company's Group Executive Management. Subsequently, a selection of suitable candidates in the Nordics and internationally was made.

“Telia Company’s Board of Directors is today very happy and proud to announce that Allison will become President and CEO of Telia Company. Allison possesses all the qualities that has been on our list of requirements during the recruitment process. She has a solid industry experience from both telecom and media, a strong drive to implement change, a visionary approach and a strong focus on growth,” says Marie Ehrling, Chair of the Board of Telia Company. “Furthermore, Allison has in her career shown a powerful leadership that engages and inspires. That is a prerequisite to successfully implement the formative changes that Telia Company is currently undergoing with regards to new business models, new ways of working and rapid technology development. Allison will drive Telia Company further in the company’s ambition to be the leading operator in the Nordics and Baltics.”

“I’m delighted and extremely honored to be appointed President and CEO of Telia Company. Given its unique assets, scale and leadership position, Telia Company has the ability to be a role model for the global telco industry and bring the benefits of digitalization to all its stakeholders, especially its customers and owners. I am really looking forward to getting to know the Telia team as we work together to take Telia Company forward,” says Allison, appointed President and CEO of Telia Company.

Telia Company's incoming Chair of the Board, Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, has been in contact with Allison during the week and subsequently informed the Board that he fully supports the decision to appoint her.