MOBILE NEWS: BlackBerry shakes up exec team

6 DECEMBER 2013

BlackBerry has announced several changes to its executive team after recent acquisition attempts fell through.

Chief operating officer, Kristian Tear and chief marketing officer, Frank Boulben are to leave the company. Brian Bidulka, BlackBerry's chief financial officer is also leaving, but will remain as special advisory to CEO John Chen until the end of the company's fiscal year. James Yersh, currently controller at BlackBerry, will take over as CFO.

Commenting on the changes, Chen said in a recent statement: "Building on this core strength, and in conjunction with these management changes, I will continue to align my senior management team and organizational structure, and refine the company's strategy to ensure we deliver the best devices, mobile security and device management." 

The move follows BlackBerry's announcement that it would cut a further 4500 jobs, and plans to raise $1 billion through a sale of convertible notes to investors.

AJAY SINGH THAKUR

PGDM 1SEM