Christopher Schläffer (40) is to leave the company on March 31, 2010 at his own request after nearly twelve years to take on new challenges, announced the company on December 17th. In his most recent position as Chief Product & Innovation Officer, Christopher Schläffer was responsible for the Group's product portfolio and the operational realization of strategic areas of innovation such as IPTV, mobile Internet and digital services. He was also in charge of research and development within the Group.
Schläffer drove the consistent focus of Deutsche Telekom's product portfolio on growth markets, including the mobile Internet, IPTV and exclusive partnerships, for example leading to the launch of the Apple iPhone and the first mobile telephone based on the Android operating system (T-Mobile G1). Schläffer set the tone for open innovation throughout the industry with the foundation of the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories in Berlin, Beer Sheva and Los Altos.
"I am grateful for my time at Deutsche Telekom, my work with a great team and the privilege of having made a modest contribution in shaping the future of our industry," said Christopher Schläffer. “But the time has now come for me to take on new challenges."
From 2002 to 2006, he was Corporate Development Officer, responsible for Group strategy, technology, innovation, research and development, processes / IT, venture capital and the regional offices of Deutsche Telekom in Europe and Asia. In 2000, he was appointed Senior Executive Vice President, Group Strategy.
