Nokia loses two more top executives

Two more Nokia executives - including Sari Baldauf, Nokia's head of networks - have left the company. Baldauf was this year named Europe's most influential businesswoman by the Financial Times.

She is joined on the way out by her number two, JT Bergqvist, previously head of global business for Nokia networks. Both partings are said to be amicable. Bergqvist left for personal reasons and Baldauf left to "pursue new personal challenges", according to a company statement.

Two weeks ago Nokia's chief strategy officer, Matti Alahuhta, left the company to take over as chief of Krone, the lift manufacturer.

Analysts say the departures aren't out of the ordinary, pointing out that all three have spent almost all of their working life with Nokia and if they wished to take on other challenges, now is the time to do so.

Both Baldauf and Alahuhta had been tipped on occasion as candidates for the top job at Nokia. Baldauf had a string of successes at Nokia and is credited with leading its successful drive into China. She is reported to have said her plans would involve entrepreneurship but she refused to be specific about any particular area.

Baldauf will be succeeded by Simon Beresford-Wylie, who will take over Nokia networks at the beginning of February.