Qualcomm appoints Wassim Chourbaji to lead EMEA business

Qualcomm has appointed Wassim Chourbaji as senior vice president and president of its Europe, Middle East and Africa business, effective immediately.

He succeeds Enrico Salvatori, who will become chairman and continue to lead the EMEA automotive business until his retirement in June 2027.

The change puts a long-serving Qualcomm executive in charge of one of the chip company's broadest geographic regions. Chourbaji has spent more than 20 years at the group and most recently served as president of Qualcomm Middle East and Africa, while also leading its government affairs organisation across EMEA.

His promotion comes as Qualcomm manages relationships with customers, industry partners and governments across a region spanning mature European technology markets and fast-growing markets in the Middle East and Africa.

Salvatori has led Qualcomm's EMEA business for more than two decades and has been with the company for 25 years. The handover keeps him in a senior regional role as chairman while retaining responsibility for the automotive segment in EMEA until he leaves the company.

Chourbaji will lead and execute Qualcomm's strategy across the region and advance its priorities across its businesses.

Regional shift

The appointment reshapes Qualcomm's leadership structure in EMEA rather than bringing in an external hire. By selecting an executive with experience in regional operations and government affairs, Qualcomm is turning to an insider with knowledge of policy and commercial issues across several markets.

That background may prove relevant in a region where semiconductor suppliers must navigate industrial policy, telecoms regulation, automotive supply chains and public-sector engagement alongside sales growth.

Qualcomm remains a major supplier to the smartphone market, but it has also expanded into automotive, computing and other connected-device segments. Keeping Salvatori in charge of the EMEA automotive business during the transition suggests that area remains a regional priority.

Akash Palkhiwala, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, commented on the leadership change.

"EMEA is an important region for Qualcomm, and we remain committed to investing in its long-term growth and success, with Wassim's leadership experience, strategic vision and ability to build strong partnerships across industry and government continuing to be instrumental to Qualcomm's success," said Akash Palkhiwala, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, Qualcomm.

Palkhiwala also addressed Salvatori's tenure at the company.

"I would like to thank Enrico for his extraordinary leadership and contributions over the past 25 years. He has built a strong organization, expanded our presence across key industries and fostered deep relationships with customers, partners and governments throughout the region," Palkhiwala said.

Internal promotion

Chourbaji's promotion reflects Qualcomm's preference for continuity in a region where leadership relationships can matter across multiple lines of business. His recent responsibilities in the Middle East and Africa, alongside oversight of government affairs across the wider EMEA region, gave him exposure to both commercial expansion and policy engagement.

Qualcomm did not announce broader changes to its regional structure alongside the appointment. Instead, it presented the move as an immediate management transition paired with a phased retirement plan for Salvatori.

The arrangement gives Qualcomm a defined succession plan in EMEA while maintaining senior oversight of automotive activities under Salvatori during the remainder of his tenure.

Chourbaji has been with Qualcomm for more than 20 years and has held a range of leadership roles across the company.