Ericsson Announces Leadership Change as Per Narvinger Becomes New CEO in 2026

Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (ERIC) enters a new era with the announcement of Per Narvinger as the President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2026. This leadership transition follows Börje Ekholm's decision to step down after a transformative nearly-decadal tenure. The company's Board confirms that this change is part of a planned succession strategy to ensure continual leadership alignment with Ericsson's evolving business objectives, especially in the realm of connectivity solutions and artificial intelligence integration. Narvinger, who has been integral to Ericsson since 1997, is expected to maintain the momentum of innovation while navigating the dynamic telecommunications landscape.

Leadership Transition Points to Future Innovation

In recent years, Narvinger has led the Business Area Networks, where he cultivated vital advancements in Ericsson's product lines. His prior roles include heading the Business Area Cloud Software and Services, underscoring his diverse experience in the telecommunications and ICT sectors. Jan Carlson, Chair of the Board, expresses confidence in Narvinger’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of his technical and commercial expertise as the industry shifts towards more sophisticated AI and connectivity solutions. Narvinger underscores his commitment to leveraging Ericsson’s technology leadership, aiming to enhance customer value as the company embraces future challenges.

Strengthening Global Connectivity Solutions

This executive transition comes at a crucial time, with industries increasingly relying on advanced connectivity solutions. Narvinger acknowledges the honor of leading Ericsson, focusing on maintaining the company's trajectory toward innovation. His approach aims to harness Ericsson's strengths to support global enterprises in their digital transformations. As Ekholm transitions into an advisory role until mid-2027, he leaves behind a legacy characterized by robust strategic advancements and a strengthened market position for Ericsson in a competitive landscape.

Collaboration with Verizon Business

In a parallel development, Ericsson announces a partnership with Verizon Business to extend its private wireless networking solution, Ericsson Private 5G, for international deployment. This collaboration aims to enhance secure and reliable connectivity for multinational enterprises, enabling them to benefit from Ericsson's technology globally. Hannes Ekström, Senior Vice President at Ericsson Americas, stresses the success of 5G-enabled private networks in the U.S. and highlights the demand for low-latency solutions as enterprises grow increasingly digital. This partnership is a key part of Ericsson's strategy to position its next-generation connectivity solutions at the forefront of global enterprise requirements.

Looking Ahead

As Narvinger steps into his new role and the partnership with Verizon unfolds, Ericsson stands poised to significantly influence the global telecommunications landscape by addressing critical connectivity challenges aligned with modern business needs.