THOMAS EKMAN NEW CEO FOR AXEL JOHNSON – effective September 2023

The Board of Directors of Axel Johnson has appointed Thomas Ekman as the new CEO, effective September 7, 2023. He is currently CEO of Dustin Group and will succeed Mia Brunell Livfors, who has been CEO of Axel Johnson since 2015. Following the transition, Mia Brunell Livfors will continue to be part of the Axel Johnson Group as a board member and advisor.

Thomas Ekman has extensive executive leadership experience and has been CEO of Dustin Group since January 2018. He has previously served as CEO of Cabonline Group and of Tele2 Sweden, and prior to that had a broad background with leading business positions in telecom and media. He is also Board Chair for Axel Johnson’s solar investment company AxSol.

Caroline Berg, Board Chair of Axel Johnson, says:

“Since Mia initiated a discussion about succession, we are now ensuring a smooth transition from one outstanding leader to another. Thomas Ekman is a very experienced and highly regarded CEO with broad competence and experience in leading companies, both publicly traded and privately owned. He has a strong commitment that fits well with our approach toward long-term company building and our desire to combine business growth with positive social impact. Under Thomas’ leadership, Dustin has shown strong growth, with sales almost tripling and new European markets entered. I am convinced that Thomas is the right person, together with colleagues throughout our companies, to continue to renew and develop Axel Johnson.”

“With a long time left until the CEO changeover, it is far too early to sum up Mia’s time as CEO. But during her more than seven years as CEO to date, she has made decisive efforts to drive the transformation that is putting us in a strong position for the future. With leadership characterized by a rare combination of incisiveness, strength, and humanity, she has made a huge impact on Axel Johnson’s businesses and culture.”

“By announcing this change already now, we are ensuring a responsible and well-planned transition here at Axel Johnson, as well as at Dustin.”

Thomas Ekman, CEO Dustin Group and CEO-elect of Axel Johnson, says:

“As CEO of Dustin, I have always collaborated closely with Axel Johnson, the largest shareholder in the company. In this role, I have come to know the powerful combination of long-term thinking, impatience and social responsibility that characterizes the group. With that in mind, along with the strong position the group has built up in recent years, I really look forward to leading Axel Johnson to continued success together with the colleagues throughout the group. However, my focus for now is Dustin, and I will work to ensure the changeover is the best it can be. After that, but from an owner’s perspective, I will continue to take part in Dustin’s development with great commitment.”

Axel Johnson has since 2015 been pursuing an extensive and successful transformation based on the group’s 10/50 goal: In ten years, half of the revenues are to come from new activities. The goal of 50 percent renewal is close to being met already seven years into the measurement period. Axel Johnson’s turnover has grown from SEK 67 billion in 2015 to be on the way to pass SEK 100 billion for the first time during 2022.

Mia Brunell Livfors, CEO Axel Johnson, says:

“After record earnings in 2021 and a very eventful and successful 2022 so far, we have a fantastic platform to continue to innovate and grow from. As CEO, leading that work is my full focus until Thomas takes over. Axel Johnson is a unique family business with a unique family of businesses, and I am happy to continue to be involved with the group as a board member as well as an advisor.”

Mia Brunell Livfors intends to continue to be available as Board Chair at the upcoming AGMs of Dustin Group (December 2022) and Axfood (March 2023,) for the upcoming fiscal year.