After nearly two decades at the helm, Daniel Ek is stepping down as the Chief Executive Officer of Spotify, a company he co-founded and steered to become the world’s dominant audio streaming platform. This marks a significant leadership shift for the company, although Ek’s presence will remain deeply felt in his new role.
Effective January 1, 2026, Ek will transition to the role of Executive Chairman. The company announced a unique new leadership structure, naming two longtime executives as his successors: Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will become co-Chief Executive Officers (co-CEOs).
The New Dual Leadership: Co-CEOs Take the Reins
The appointment of co-CEOs formalizes a management structure that has been evolving behind the scenes for years. Söderström and Norström, who currently serve as co-Presidents, are veterans of the company and have been instrumental in driving its product and business strategies.
- Gustav Söderström, currently Chief Product and Technology Officer, will focus on the product and technology vision. He is the architect behind many of Spotify’s user-facing innovations, including the recent push into AI-driven discovery like the AI DJ.
- Alex Norström, currently Chief Business Officer, will focus on business operations, growth, and market expansion. He has been key in scaling Spotify’s subscriber and advertising businesses across more than 180 countries.
Ek noted that the change “simply matches titles to how we already operate,” signifying a smooth continuation of their shared leadership responsibilities.
Ek’s Next Mission: The “Long Arc” of Spotify
For those who may view an Executive Chairman role as purely ceremonial, Ek has been clear: his new position will be a hands-on role, more aligned with the “European Chairman” model than a typical U.S. board chairman.
As Executive Chairman, Ek will focus on the “long arc” of Spotify’s journey. This includes:
- Long-Term Strategy: Guiding the company’s decade-long strategic vision.
- Capital Allocation: Overseeing major investment and financial decisions.
- Mentorship: Providing guidance and support to the new co-CEOs.
- External Stakeholders: Engaging with governments and regulators on key industry issues.
Ek’s transition allows him to step back from the daily operational grind while remaining involved in the big, defining decisions that will shape the company’s future growth, particularly around new technologies like AI and the expansion into markets “not accustomed to streaming.”
A Legacy of Disruption
Daniel Ek’s legacy at Spotify is one of revolution. Starting nearly two decades ago, he and co-founder Martin Lorentzon successfully turned a world of rampant music piracy into a viable, subscription-based streaming model, fundamentally reshaping the global music industry.
Under his leadership, Spotify grew from a small startup to a global audio giant with over 700 million users. As the company enters a new chapter with a profitable business model and a dual leadership team focused on both product and business, Ek’s move signals both confidence in his successors and a personal re-focus on the ambitious, long-term strategic challenges that lie ahead. The music world will be watching closely as Söderström and Norström take the stage.
