A strategic handover of leadership is taking place at Spotify, with founder Daniel Ek paving the way for a new duo to take the CEO role. Ek himself will transition to the position of executive chairman, where he will continue to guide the company’s long-term vision and strategy.
The new co-CEOs, effective January 1st, will be Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström. Both are seasoned executives within the company, currently serving as co-presidents, and have been the driving force behind Spotify’s day-to-day operations and strategic planning since 2023.
Spotify announced that this move is a formalization of an existing and effective leadership model. Ek supported this, explaining that the promotion of Söderström and Norström is a natural progression that aligns their titles with the significant responsibilities they have already undertaken.
In his new role as executive chairman, Ek will focus on the “long arc” of Spotify’s future. He stressed that his position would be an active one, dedicated to exploring new technological frontiers like AI and spearheading the company’s expansion into untapped international markets.
This carefully planned handover ensures leadership continuity while optimizing the company’s structure for future challenges. It allows Spotify to benefit from the focused operational management of its new co-CEOs and the continued strategic oversight of its founder.