The co-CEOs of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) have stepped down from their positions, although both will remain with the company as the former co-COO takes up the top job.

In a statement, RIM says former bosses Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie will both continue to be members of the RIM board, the former also taking up the role of vice chair. The new CEO is Thorsten Heins, who has been with the company since 2007.

Heins will take on the role alone, although RIM says he will be working closely with his predecessors, particularly Lazaridis.

"Mike created a whole new way of communicating,” Heins says of Lazaridis, "and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration.”

Lazaridis himself says the move shows the company is entering a new phase.

"There comes a time in the growth of every successful company when the founders recognise the need to pass the baton to new leadership,” Lazaridis says.

"Jim and I went to the board and told them we thought that time was now.”

As a show of confidence in his successor, Lazaridis says he intends to purchase an additional US$50 million of RIM shares.

"Thorsten has demonstrated throughout his tenure at RIM that he has the right mix of leadership, relevant industry experience and skills to take the company forward.”

Image: Thorsten Heins.