The soft-spoken Nokia executive with a record of bold moves

When Rajeev Suri took to the stage in Paris to announce the proposed takeover of French rival Alcatel-Lucent, he opened with a cheery "Merci, bonjour: but now English" - an intro that neatly reflected the no-nonsense approach of the Nokia chief executive.

The emergence of Mr Suri out of the shadow of Stephen Elop, his more effusive former boss, has surprised some Nokia observers.

The Indian-born, quietly spoken executive, only the second non-Finn to lead the company, is described by colleagues and customers as deeply knowledgeable about the networks that he has spent much of his career supplying to operators.

After becoming chief executive in 2014, his actions have been anything but quiet. A series of bold moves have build a new a Nokia out of the once unloved networks business.

The meticulous approach by the 48-year-old has won over customers and analysts, with key contracts wins in the US with Sprint as well as a growing business supplying telecoms equipment to Chinese carriers.

Investors have reacted positively as the company has returned to a stable financial footing, sending shares up four fold since 2012.

Mr Suri was instrumental in restructuring the poorly performing former Nokia Siemens joint venture - cutting about 20,000 jobs and returning it to profitability. Such experience will crucial in addressing the inevitable need for cost cutting and rationalisation in the combined businesses of Nokia and Alcatel.

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