Daniel Ek is taking on the role of a master orchestrator in Spotify’s leadership symphony, stepping down as CEO to become the executive chairman. In this new capacity, he will focus on composing the company’s long-term strategy, while two new co-CEOs conduct the daily operations.
The new conductors, taking their posts on January 1st, are Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström. As the current co-presidents for product and business, they have already been leading the operational tempo of the company since 2023, and their promotion is a formal recognition of their leadership.
Spotify has described this change as a harmonization of titles and roles. The move “formalizes” the existing power structure, a point Ek himself underscored by stating he had already delegated a large part of the day-to-day management to the incoming duo.
As executive chairman, Ek will guide the overarching musical direction of Spotify, focusing on its “long arc.” He will explore new movements in technology like AI and expand the company’s audience into new global territories where streaming is still a novelty.
This beautifully orchestrated transition ensures every part of the leadership team is playing to its strengths. With Söderström and Norström managing the intricate details of the performance, Ek is free to write the score for Spotify’s next great masterpiece.