Alcatel Lucent is seeking a replacement for CEO, a position Patricia Russo recently vacated.
Two years ago, France’s Alcatel and the United States’ Lucent finalized their merger, creating a union of the largest telecom gear companies in the world. Patricia Russo, Lucent’s chief, stepped in to lead Alcatel-Lucent as its CEO, while Alcatel CEO Serge Tchuruk stayed on as the new company’s chairman.
Last week, the two leaders stepped down.
The job will not be easy as the company is still trying to negotiate merger issues such as combining cultures. Likewise, the combined company has suffered from several underwhelming financial quarters, disappointing shareholders and the board.
Some of the rumored candidates include: Thierry Breton, a former French finance minister and ex-chairman and CEO of France Télécom SA; Philippe Germond, CEO of information technology company Atos Origin SA; Stephen Burke, COO of Comcast; and former BT Group PLC executive Ben Verwaayen. Verwaayen reportedly has already declined the initial approach.
