Omar Riaz replaces Sarah Edge in UK&I role

HMD Global has made two new major appointments to kick off 2020, naming Ruben Lehmann as vice president of Europe and Omar Riaz as general manager for the UK and Ireland.

Lehmann (pictured, left) joins the Nokia licencee from Swiss mobile distributor Autronic AG, where he was the CEO from 2015 to December last year. He is responsible for commercial operations, business strategy and development. He replaces Per Ekman in the role. Ekman has become chief commercial officer.

He will be based in Switzerland and will report directly to HMD CEO Florian Seiche. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “This year will no doubt be crucial to the development of the mobile industry at large with the introduction of 5G and I’m excited see HMD Global play a key role in putting this technology into the hands of fans around the world.”

Riaz (right) has worked at HMD since 2017, rising from head of UK distribution and sales to general manager for sales operations for Europe. Prior to HMD, he worked in lead roles at Microsoft, Nokia, and Emitac Mobile Solutions, a channel partner for BlackBerry’s manufacturer Research in Motion.

He replaces Sarah Edge in the role. Edge is now director of sales in the UK, Ireland, South Africa and Israel for business mobility solutions company SOTI.

Riaz said: “Having been with HMD Global since the very beginning and witnessed it’s transformation from a promising startup to a truly global company, I’m honoured to take up the position of General Manager for the UK and Ireland and lead us into our next chapter.”