In a major leadership shake-up at Spotify, founder Daniel Ek has announced that he will step down as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Ek, who has led the company since its inception, will transition into a new role as Executive Chairman.
To fill his position, Ek has appointed Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström as Co-CEOs, ushering in a new chapter for the world’s largest music streaming platform.
“Ek leaves the CEO role on a high note, with big boots to fill for the incoming CEOs,” said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. The move highlights Spotify’s ongoing evolution as it continues to expand its influence across music, podcasts, and emerging audio technologies.
Despite stepping down, Ek emphasized his continued commitment to Spotify’s long-term strategy. “I will be more involved than a typical US chairman. So think of it a little bit like moving from a player to a coach,” said Ek, who has been on Spotify’s board since 2008.
Under Ek’s leadership, Spotify grew from a disruptive Swedish startup into a global leader, reshaping how the world consumes music. As Söderström and Norström step into their new roles, the industry will be watching closely to see how the duo carries forward Ek’s legacy while steering Spotify into the future.
Stay tuned to InterSpace Daily for more updates on how this leadership shift could shape the music streaming landscape.
