Canadian telecom gear maker Nortel has named David I. Richardson to the Company’s Board of Directors, with effect from March 27, 2009. Additionally, Richardson has also been appointed to the Nortel Networks Limited Board of Directors.

Richardson, who has earlier worked as the Canadian National Managing Partner of the Corporate Finance practice of Ernst & Young LLP and as the senior partner in the firm''s Corporate Recovery and Restructuring practice until his retirement from the partnership in 2002, comes loaded with a rich experience in advising organizations with regard to business and financial restructurings.

At present, Richardson holds the position of Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of ACE Aviation Holdings, and as a Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Canada.

Simultaneously, Nortel announced the stepping down of Dr. Manfred Bischoff from the Boards of Directors of Nortel Networks Corporation and Nortel Networks Limited, effective, effective March 31, 2009.