Ericsson’s Wibergh to join Vodafone as CTO

Vodafone’s CTO Steve Pusey is to step down at the end of July 2015, and will be replaced by Ericsson head of networks, Johan Wibergh.

Pusey was the brains behind Project Spring, a multi-billion pound programme of network improvements currently underway at Vodafone, and masterminded its convergence strategy, acquiring fixed-line businesses in Germany, New Zealand, and Spain.

Wibergh, who will join the firm in May 2015 to undergo a transition period prior to Pusey’s retirement, has spent a number of years working in R&D and later business development roles before joining Ericsson in 1996. Following two separate postings to South America, he took up his current role in 2008.

Wibergh was responsible for leading all aspects of business strategy, R&D, product management and sales for Ericsson’s networking segment, which makes sales of around €13 billion (US$ 13.82 billion) per annum and has 27,000 employees. During his tenure Ericsson strengthened its position in mobile equipment, with a 35 per cent global market share.