Power Handover at Spotify: Ek Assumes Chairmanship, Söderström and Norström Named Co-CEOs

A significant power handover is underway at Spotify, as founder and longtime CEO Daniel Ek prepares to assume the role of executive chairman. This move paves the way for a new leadership duo, Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, who will step up as co-CEOs of the streaming behemoth.
The transition, which will be official on January 1st, promotes the two current co-presidents to the top executive job. Söderström has been the architect of Spotify’s product and technology, while Norström has skillfully managed its business operations, making their joint leadership a natural fit for the company’s next phase.
According to the company, this change is not a sudden shake-up but the formalization of a leadership style that has been in place since 2023. Ek confirmed that Söderström and Norström have already been leading the company’s strategic and operational arms, and the new titles are a recognition of their established authority.
As executive chairman, Ek will maintain a powerful and active presence. His focus will shift to long-term strategy, exploring how technologies like AI will shape the future of audio and identifying growth opportunities in parts of the world yet to adopt streaming. He emphasized his role in representing the company to key external partners.
This evolution of Spotify’s leadership structure is designed to leverage the strengths of its key players. With the operational expertise of its new co-CEOs and the visionary oversight of its founder, the company is positioning itself for sustained growth and innovation.