Aussie Ericsson MD to leave

in brief Jacqueline Hey, the chief executive of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, will shortly depart the role after less than a year and a half leading the Swedish networking giant's Australian subsidiary.

Hey took up the role in November 2008, returning to Australia from the United Kingdom after four years leading the company's North West Europe arm. The executive had previously been the director for Ericsson's Vodafone account in Australia, and had also held several senior roles within the Telstra account — one of Ericsson's largest customers locally.

Hey's predecessor, Bill Zikou, also returned from a European role in 2006 before retiring after several years in 2008.

Ericsson is expected to make a statement on Hey's departure shortly.

Sam Saba, key account manager for the Telstra customer account, is set to take over Heys role from 1 April, according to its spokesperson John Papanidas.

Papanidas said the networking giant's local business had recovered from the slump it experienced in 2008, which saw its revenues fall from $1.2 billion in 2007 to $800 million, while its profits fell from $20 million to just over $800,000. The company's 2008 financial report stated it employed 1600 employees.