Börje Ekholm

Börje Ekholm was born in 1963 in Borås, Sweden, and grew up in Edsbruk. He graduated in 1988 with an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, undertook exchange studies in Boston, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from INSEAD. Ekholm holds an honorary Doctorate at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Börje Ekholm assumed the role of President and CEO of Ericsson on January 16, 2017. He knows the company and the industry well after being a Board member of Ericsson since 2006. In January 2017, Ekholm succeeded Hans Vestberg as CEO of Ericsson, when Investor AB was Ericsson's biggest shareholder. He inherited a company in crisis—Ericsson had reported significant losses and was struggling to compete in the telecommunications equipment market.

Career history

• CEO of Patricia Industries, a division within Investor AB (2015–January 15, 2017)
• President and CEO of Investor AB (2005–2015)
• Head of Investor Growth Capital Inc. and New Investments
• Previous senior leadership roles at Novare Kapital AB and McKinsey & Co Inc

Ekholm implemented an R&D-led business turnaround strategy, completed in 2020, that transitioned the company from losses to sustained profitable growth. Ericsson's business turnaround and COVID-19 response was recognized through a Change Leader of the Year 2020 award. Ekholm is Board Chair of Trimble Inc. and a member of the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum Digital Communication Governors.

What Börje Ekholm could bring to President and CEO at Ericsson: Ekholm's tenure represents a proven track record in transforming struggling telecommunications enterprises through disciplined R&D investment and operational restructuring. His background combining electrical engineering expertise with investment management experience positions him to navigate complex technology markets, particularly in 5G leadership and enterprise solutions. His leadership during the 2008 financial crisis at Investor AB and pandemic response at Ericsson demonstrates resilience and adaptive decision-making under extreme market pressure.