Nokia lead executive in camera and imaging Damian Dinning is leaving the company

Damian Dinning, the man who has spearheaded Nokia's advancements in smartphone camera technology in recent years, will be leaving the company at the end of the month. Amateur Photographer first reported that Dinning would leave Nokia, and the company confirmed the report with the following statement:

Following the relocation of key strategic roles to Finland, and with great reluctance, Damian Dinning has made a personal decision to leave the company effective November 30, 2012. During the past nine years, Damian has made many innovative and valuable contributions to Nokia, most recently as a lead program manager in our Smart Devices business. We thank him for his service to the company and certainly wish him the best.

Dinning, who has worked at Minolta and Eastman Kodak, has played an integral role in Nokia's improvements to its camera technology. The company's PureView and floating lens technology have greatly improved the quality of photos and video captured by its smartphones. Executives had hoped tat Dinning would continue to lead its imaging efforts and have yet to name a successor.