Research In Motion Ltd. co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie resigned Saturday and appointed company executive Thorsten Heins as new CEO.

The move came in response to pressure from investors who called for a shakeup of senior management amid falling market share to wireless device competitors Google Inc. and Apple Inc.

Heins, 54, joined RIM in 2007 and until the new appointment served as chief operating officer of product engineering.

Lazaridis has become vice-chair of RIM’s board and chair of the board’s new innovation committee, working “closely with Mr. Heins to offer strategic counsel,” a release said. Balsillie also continues as a member of the RIM board.

RIM's new BlackBerry 10 operating system and devices have been delayed and are now scheduled for release in the second half of 2012.

National Bank Financial analyst Kris Thompson told The Globe and Mail that the appointment was a good step but “that this won’t be the cultural shift that may be required by bringing in a fresh, unbiased perspective, someone from the outside that is less likely to be influenced by Jim and Mike.”

Thompson added: “Time is running thin. Thorsten needs to have some impressive magic tricks. Tricks that encompass change management, operating cost control and timely product innovation.”

Heins told analysts on a call Monday that he intends to better engage with consumers and be more “marketing driven” and “consumer oriented.” He said he will “not in any way” split up RIM into separate businesses or lay off staff.

“With BlackBerry 7 now out, PlayBook 2.0 shipping in February and BlackBerry 10 expected to ship later this year, the company is entering a new phase, and we felt it was time for a new leader to take it through that phase and beyond,” Lazaridis said in a statement. 

Contact Ryan O'Neill at 613-232-5952 ext. 222 or roneill@thewirereport.ca
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