Daniel Ek Steps Into Executive Chairman Role at Spotify
Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström appointed co-Chief Executive Officers at Spotify
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Published: Oct 1, 2025 9:37 AM | 2 min read
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- Spotify's founder and CEO, Daniel Ek, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman on January 1, 2026, focusing on long-term strategy and capital allocation.
- Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström have been appointed as co-Chief Executive Officers, both of whom have extensive experience at Spotify and will report to Ek.
- The leadership change aims to formalize the existing operational structure and ensure continuity, as Söderström and Norström have been leading daily operations and strategic initiatives.
- The transition has been in discussion for several years, with the Board expressing confidence in the new co-CEOs and Ek's ongoing involvement providing essential guidance.
Spotify has announced a major leadership change. Founder and CEO Daniel Ek will move into the role of Executive Chairman starting January 1, 2026.
The company has named Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström as co-Chief Executive Officers. Söderström currently serves as Chief Product and Technology Officer, while Norström is Chief Business Officer. Both have also been co-Presidents of the company. As co-CEOs, they will report to Daniel Ek and join Spotify’s Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval.
In his new position as Executive Chairman, Ek will focus on long-term strategy and overall direction. His responsibilities will include decisions on capital allocation and shaping Spotify’s future growth plans. He will also continue to guide the leadership team and stay closely connected with the Board and the new co-CEOs.
Ek said that Spotify has grown to more than 700 million users worldwide and has changed how people experience audio content. He explained that in recent years, much of the company’s daily operations and strategic work had already been led by Söderström and Norström. According to him, the new structure formalizes how the company has been operating and ensures continuity in leadership.
Woody Marshall, Lead Independent Director of Spotify’s Board, said the Board has been discussing this leadership transition with Ek for several years. He expressed strong confidence in both new co-CEOs, highlighting their more than 15 years of experience at Spotify and their role in shaping the company’s success. He also noted that Ek’s continued involvement as Executive Chairman will provide strong founder-led guidance and support.
In a joint statement, Söderström and Norström said they have worked together for many years and have been part of Spotify’s journey through different stages of growth. They shared that since becoming co-Presidents nearly three years ago, their focus has been on building the best possible user experience. They added that although they bring different strengths to the CEO role, they share a strong drive to execute and are excited to lead the company with Ek’s continued support.
The new leadership structure will take effect from January 1, 2026.
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