Ericsson Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Jacqueline Hey has departed from the networking retailer after performing her duties only 18 months in the position.

In October 2008, Ms. Hey was given the top position at Ericsson Australia, but she renounced after working 23 years at the company.

She came back to Australia from the United Kingdom in 2008 after four years as Ericsson's head of northwest Europe to substitute former Ericsson Australia CEO and 35-year Ericsson veteran, Bill Zikou.

Sam Saba, a Director of Ericsson Australia and the company's key Account Manager for Telstra, will step in Ms. Hey shoes from April 1.

Mr. Saba has served Ericsson for 15 years and has been deeply absorbed in the retailer's work on Telstra's Next G mobile broadband network.

Previously, Mr. Saba's Ericsson roles include five years as Head of Services and Sales for the Middle East and Country Manager for the UAE, and five years as key Account Manager in Indonesia.

Ericsson will probably make a statement on Hey's exit soon.