François Lançon as the new leaders of its Greater China and Asia Pacific Regions respectively. This follows the announcement in April 2008 that Michael Pangia - formerly President of a combined Asia region - would return to North America as senior vice-president, Global Sales Operations and Strategy.

Today's announcement ensures the seamless evolution of Nortel's leadership across Asia and a continued focus on satisfying customer needs and driving business results. Jackson Wu will further develop the focus he has built in the Greater China Region - encompassing the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Wu, a 15 year Nortel veteran, has led the Greater China team since August 2006. François Lançon is appointed Leader for Asia Pacific, and will assume leadership for customer and market engagements throughout the Asia Pacific region - encompassing the ASEAN countries of South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Japan. Lançon previously led the Enterprise Solutions business for the Asia Region.

"The changing nature of the Asian marketplace has been key to the decision to appoint two leaders," said Bill Nelson, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Nortel. "Over the past several years, Greater China has emerged as a global economic power. The region's importance to Nortel's global portfolio and go-to-market strategies has also grown, and with the significant opportunities which exist across the Asia Pacific Region, the direct engagement of leaders within Asia geographies is increasingly important to Nortel's success. These appointments will ensure we have the right focus on these most exciting growth markets for Nortel."

"Greater China is fundamental to our company's success in 2008 and beyond," said Wu. "Not only is the region key from a sales perspective, but we host some of our most important R&D talent for the company in our China Labs in Beijing and Guangzhou, recently named along with Ottawa as one of only two full service R&D centers for the corporation. With the reshaping of China's huge telecom operators, and the growth in the enterprise sector fuelled by China's booming economy and strategic location for multinationals, there are great opportunities for us to drive greater success in the coming months and years."

"The Asia Pacific Region represents one of the most diverse geographies for Nortel - from mature markets like Australia, Japan and Singapore, to the tiger economies of South East Asia and the phenomenal growth we are seeing in India," said Lançon. "Nortel's dynamic growth in the enterprise space, and established presence in strategic carriers across the region, provides an excellent platform from which to build. We have the right solutions, the right people and the right strategy to help our customers overcome the challenges and reap the rewards of today's increasingly hyperconnected world."

Wu and Lançon will continue to be based in Beijing and Singapore respectively.

Image of Jackson Wu courtesy of www.taiwanalliance.org.tw

Image of  François Lançon courtesy of Mr Lançon's LinkedIn page