Accomplished global technology executive Stephen Elop will join Telstra in the newly created role of Group Executive Technology, Innovation and Strategy.

Mr Elop, 52, will have responsibility for leading Telstra’s strategy to become a world class technology company. He will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Andrew Penn and be based jointly in the United States and Australia.

Mr Penn said Mr Elop was a significant appointment reinforcing Telstra’s ambitions to be a world class technology company. Mr Elop has held global executive roles with Nokia, Microsoft, Juniper, Adobe and Macromedia including CEO of Nokia for three years.

“Stephen will immediately add major firepower to our team with his extensive and deep technology experience and an innate sense of customer expectations. He is a recognised international technology leader and strategist from across a range of global organisations,” Mr Penn said.

The Technology, Innovation and Strategy portfolio brings together aligned lines of business including the Chief Technology Office, Chief Scientist, Telstra Software Group and Corporate Strategy with strong links into product development functions.

“I have long recognised the Telstra team as one of the most innovative and insightful in the telecommunications industry. Telstra has a strong focus on its customers, and a willingness to invest in advanced products and services to best serve those customers,” Mr Elop said.

“I am excited to be joining the team at a particularly unique moment of opportunity for Telstra.”

Mr Elop was Chief Executive Officer of Nokia from September 2010 to September 2013, when it was announced that Microsoft was purchasing Nokia’s mobile and devices business, at which time he became Executive Vice President, Devices and Services pending deal completion. Upon closure of the deal with Microsoft, he became Executive Vice President of the Microsoft Devices Group and served in that role until July 2015.

Prior to Nokia, Mr Elop was President of the Microsoft Business Division, with responsibility for the Microsoft Office franchise and related products. He was previously Chief Operating Office of Juniper Networks, a senior executive at Adobe Systems and CEO at Macromedia.

Mr Elop has a Bachelor of Computer Engineering and Management and an honorary Doctorate of Science from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He is currently Distinguished Engineering Executive in Residence at McMaster University.

Mr Elop commences on 4 April.