Daniel Ek to Become Spotify Executive Chairman; Co‑CEOs Named

Spotify announced Daniel Ek will transition from CEO to executive chairman effective Jan. 1, 2026, and co-presidents Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will become co-CEOs reporting to him and expected to join the board pending shareholder approval. The change formalizes how the company has operated since 2023, with Söderström overseeing product and technology and Norström overseeing business and content. Ek will adopt a European-style chair role focused on capital allocation, long-term strategy and regulatory matters while continuing to advise the senior team; the co-CEOs will handle strategic development and day-to-day operations, and board leaders endorsed the move. Investors pushed shares lower after the announcement amid concerns that co-CEO arrangements are uncommon and can create divided authority, and observers flagged questions about balancing growth and profitability as Spotify expands further into podcasts and audiobooks. The company said it will hold a live Q&A and announced a new multi-year licensing deal with Merlin, but did not address controversy over Ek’s investment in weapons contractor Helsing, which has prompted some artists to leave the platform.