Daniel Ek, the founder and long-time CEO of Spotify, is orchestrating a strategic pivot in his role, stepping down from the chief executive position to become the executive chair. The move is designed to allow Ek to concentrate on the company’s long-term vision after nearly two decades of leading its daily operations.
Assuming the CEO responsibilities jointly will be Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, starting January 1st. The two executives, currently co-presidents, have been central figures in Spotify’s success, with Söderström leading product and tech, and Norström overseeing the business side. Their appointment as co-CEOs solidifies their leadership.
The company has presented this transition as a formalization of its de facto operating model. A press release noted that Söderström and Norström have already been at the forefront of strategic and operational execution since 2023. Ek confirmed he had already “turned over a large part of the day-to-day management” to them.
In an online Q&A, Ek detailed his new mission as executive chair: to focus on Spotify’s “long arc” and “look around the corner.” This includes exploring growth in markets across Asia and Africa and harnessing new technologies like artificial intelligence. He emphasized his role will be hands-on, actively engaging with stakeholders like governments.
This leadership evolution comes as Spotify stands as a titan of the audio industry, with over 700 million subscribers and a vast content library. Ek’s pivot ensures that while the company’s operational leadership is in stable hands, its founding visionary is dedicated to navigating the challenges and opportunities of the future.