Volvo Cars appoints two deputy CEOs for electrification transition

Volvo Cars plans to go fully electrified by 2030, shaping the future of mobility and has huge ambitions for growth and sustainability.To achieve this goal, Volvo Cars is currently fine-tuning the company's leadership responsibilities.

Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, said: "Our strategic direction is very clear. We will be customer-centric and create value through technology and product development, digitalization and software capabilities. Therefore, we have decided to simplify the company structure, clarify responsibilities, improve Execution across the business and enabling closer collaboration.”

Image credit: Volvo Cars

From June 20, Volvo Cars will transition to a new structure.The company's chief financial officer, Björn Annwall, will serve as chief commercial officer and deputy chief executive.Javier Varela, Head of R&D, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain and Quality, will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer.Volvo Cars has introduced two deputy chief executive positions to reflect the importance of the company's business in two key areas and its contribution to the company's current and future growth.

Image credit: Volvo Cars

Björn will succeed Lex Kerssemakers, who currently leads commercial operations at Volvo Cars and recently announced plans to retire.During the transition, Lex will remain at Volvo Cars as a consultant, reporting directly to the CEO and focusing on executive-level projects.Johan Ekdahl, currently head of global accounting and group reporting, will be named interim chief financial officer as the recruitment of Volvo Cars' new permanent chief financial officer is underway.

Henrik Green, head of Product Creation at Volvo Cars, will lead a new division called Advanced Technology & Sustainability to underpin the company's vehicles that enhance the consumer experience through technology and sustainability Manufacturer leadership and align with the company's goal of becoming a fully circular economy enterprise by 2040.

The Volvo Cars Executive Management Team (EMT) will consist of Jim Rowan and the following:

Acting Chief Financial Officer Johan Ekdahl

Maria Hemberg, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer

Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Javier Varela

Chief People Officer Hanna Fager

Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy CEO Björn Annwall

Chief PR Officer Olivia Ross-Wilson

At the same time, Volvo Cars will build a wider group management team comprising EMT and the following core personnel:

Yuan Xiaolin, President of Asia Pacific

Anders Gustafsson, President, Americas

Arek Nowinski, President, EMEA

Henrik Green, Global Head of Advanced Technology and Sustainability

Robin Page, Head of Global Design and User Experience

Fredrik Hansson, Head of Global Controls

Geert Bruyneel, Global Head of Manufacturing

Javier Varela, Acting Head of Global R&D

Tobias Altehed, Global Head of Digital Core

Strategic Consultant Lex Kerssemakers