Ek Redefines His Role, Elevates Lieutenants in Major Spotify Reshuffle

Daniel Ek is redefining his role at Spotify in a major leadership reshuffle that elevates two of his most trusted lieutenants to the position of co-CEO. The founder of the streaming service will step down as chief executive to become the company’s executive chairman.
The new co-CEOs, Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, will officially begin their roles on January 1st. Their promotion from co-presidents is a testament to their success in running the company’s product and business divisions and their leadership in day-to-day operations since 2023.
The company has framed this transition as a formalization of its current command structure, ensuring stability and continuity. Ek himself stated that he had already turned over a significant portion of the management to the duo, and this change simply makes their authority official.
As executive chairman, Ek will dedicate himself to the company’s long-term vision. He will focus on “looking around the corner” for new opportunities, such as the application of AI and the growth potential in markets where streaming is still emerging.
This strategic move marks a new stage in Spotify’s development. It allows the company to benefit from the focused leadership of its new co-CEOs on current business, while its founder concentrates on the strategic challenges and innovations that will define its future.