Spotify's Daniel Ek Steps Down as CEO, Names Co-Leaders for 2026
Spotify, the world's leading music streaming service, has announced significant changes in its top leadership. Daniel Ek, the company's founder and CEO, will step down from his role on January 1, 2026, taking on the position of Executive Chairman. This move comes as Spotify celebrates its first full year of profitability in 2025, operating in 184 markets and supporting over 700 million users.
Daniel Ek will remain closely involved in Spotify's strategy, capital allocation, regulatory issues, and key decisions in his new role. He will be succeeded by two co-CEOs, Gustav Söderström and Alex Pereira, who have been sharing leadership responsibilities since 2023. This new structure, referred to as a 'European chairman' model, keeps Ek more involved than a typical U.S. board chair.
Gustav Söderström, currently co-CEO of Spotify, has previously served as Chief Product and Technology Officer and co-President. He has overseen strategic development and operational execution at the company. Alex Pereira, joining Söderström as co-CEO, will also join the board of directors alongside Ek and Söderström.
Spotify's leadership change comes amidst ongoing backlash from artists. Bands like Massive Attack and Deerhoof have pulled their catalogs due to ethical concerns surrounding Daniel Ek's investment in defense tech company Helsing.
As Spotify enters 2026, it does so with a new leadership structure and a commitment to maintaining its position as the leading streaming service. Daniel Ek's continued involvement as Executive Chairman, along with the shared leadership of co-CEOs Gustav Söderström and Alex Pereira, signals a balance between continuity and change for the company.
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