Changes at Motorola

Handset manufacturer Motorola says CEO Ed Zander will step down on 1^st January, although he’ll remain as chairman until the annual shareholders’ meeting in May 2008. President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Brown will become the new CEO. Mr Zander’s been under pressure for several months, most recently after a poor quarter in which Motorola's profits fell by 94% and handset sales fell 36%.

There are also changes afoot in the UK. Jim Michel, Motorola’s UK and Ireland general manager, says the company is reviewing its choice of distributors and is unlikely to maintain relationships with all five current distribution partners. It’s concerned about grey market stock and also says the market is shrinking. [Sources: Motorola.com, Bloomberg.com, Mobile News]