Ericsson has named Per Narvinger as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, marking a major leadership transition at one of the world’s largest telecommunications equipment vendors.
Per Narvinger will take over as CEO on October 1, 2026, succeeding Borje Ekholm, who has led Ericsson for nearly a decade and played a key role in the company’s turnaround and 5G leadership strategy.
The appointment was announced by Ericsson’s Board of Directors after a structured succession planning process.
Per Narvinger, a veteran Ericsson executive, joined the company in 1997 and brings nearly three decades of experience across telecommunications, information and communications technology (ICT), research, product development, standardization, sales, and customer engagement.
Who is Per Narvinger?
Per Narvinger is a long-serving Ericsson executive with extensive technical and commercial expertise. Throughout his career, he has held several senior leadership positions and worked closely with major telecom operators worldwide. He has also undertaken long-term international assignments in Australia and Spain, giving him deep global market experience.
Most recently, Per Narvinger has served as the head of Ericsson’s Business Area Networks since March 2025. Before that, he led Business Area Cloud Software and Services from 2022. His leadership experience spans some of Ericsson’s most strategic businesses, including mobile network infrastructure, cloud platforms, and software solutions.
Ericsson Chairman Jan Carlson said the Board selected Per Narvinger because of his strong industry knowledge, proven leadership capabilities, and extensive commercial experience. The company believes his combination of technical expertise and customer-facing experience positions him well to lead Ericsson during the next phase of growth.
AI and Advanced Connectivity to Drive Ericsson’s Future
Per Narvinger highlighted the growing importance of advanced connectivity as artificial intelligence moves deeper into industrial applications. He emphasized that Ericsson is well-positioned to capitalize on increasing demand for network infrastructure that supports AI-driven services and emerging digital ecosystems.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the telecom industry as operators invest in 5G monetization, network automation, cloud-native infrastructure, private networks, and AI-enabled services. Ericsson is also focusing on expanding revenue opportunities beyond traditional mobile network deployments.
Borje Ekholm’s Legacy at Ericsson
Borje Ekholm will step down as President and CEO on September 30, 2026, after more than nine years in the role and two decades on Ericsson’s Board of Directors. Following his departure, he will serve as executive advisor to the new CEO until June 15, 2027, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.
Under Borje Ekholm’s leadership, Ericsson strengthened its global position in communications networks, accelerated its 5G strategy, improved profitability, and expanded its technology portfolio. The company credits him with transforming Ericsson into a stronger and more competitive global communications technology leader.
As Ericsson enters the next chapter, Per Narvinger’s appointment signals continuity in strategy while positioning the company to capitalize on opportunities emerging from AI, next-generation connectivity, and digital transformation initiatives worldwide.
