Spotify shared big news today: Daniel Ek will switch jobs in January, moving from CEO to executive chair.
Starting January 1, 2026, Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will both step into the role of co-CEOs, and they’ll answer directly to Ek, who isn’t really leaving—just changing seats at the table. Their new board spots still need a thumbs-up from shareholders, but that’s the plan for now.
Spotify described Ek’s upcoming position as similar to a European chair, which basically means he’ll handle the big-picture stuff, like deciding where money goes and helping to steer Spotify’s future, while the two co-CEOs run most of the daily show. It’s kind of funny, since Spotify has already been working this way since 2023, with Alex and Gustav doing much of the leading.
Ek said himself, “I’ve already turned over a large part of the day-to-day management and strategic direction of Spotify to Alex and Gustav,” and he added, “this change simply matches titles to how we already operate.”
Fans wonder if these changes will actually make Spotify better, or if it’s just a fancy shuffle.
Strangely, nobody mentioned anything about the recent drama over Ek’s investment in a weapons tech company called Helsing, which led to a bunch of artists—like Hotline TNT, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Deradoorian, and maybe even Massive Attack—leaving Spotify or trying to get their music off the platform.
