Telstra poaches Eriksson from Ericsson as CTO

Telstra has lured Håkan Eriksson, the former boss of telco kit vendor Ericsson's local operations, as its new chief technology officer.

Eriksson has spent less than a year heading up strategy for Ericsson's south-east Asia and Oceania region following his promotion from Ericsson A/NZ CEO earlier this year.

The executive also previously spent nine years as the company's group CTO across Sweden and the US.

He will join Telstra - a long-time partner of Ericsson - in February next year, replacing a role left vacant by Vish Nandlall, who was let go in controversial circumstances in May this year.

“I believe Håkan will bring significant leadership to the CTO role with his success in building Ericsson’s technology leadership, driving research development and significant developments in the convergence of wireless and fixed line," Telstra's head of technology innovation and strategy Stephen Elop said in a statement.

“He has an intimate understanding of the Australian market and our business, a proven track record and a passion for technology and the customer experience."

Eriksson is a former deputy chairman of the Australian Mobile Telecommications Association, and currently serves as a national councillor for the Victorian branch of the Australian Industry Group.

His appointment fills one vacancy of three Telstra is currently recruiting for.

The telco has spent several months searching for a replacement CIO after Erez Yarkoni's August departure; it is currently looking for a new CISO after Mike Burgess announced he would step down; and the telco also wants to hire a "customer CTO" to help grow the size of its key accounts.