Ericsson named longtime executive Per Narvinger as its next chief executive officer, handing leadership of the Swedish telecom equipment maker to an internal veteran as the company seeks to capitalize on growing demand for AI-driven network infrastructure.
Narvinger, currently executive vice president and head of Ericsson’s Networks business, will assume the CEO role on Oct. 1, succeeding Börje Ekholm, who will step down after nearly a decade leading the company. Ekholm will remain involved during the transition period as an executive advisor until mid-2027.
The move marks a planned succession rather than a strategic reset, with Ericsson’s board emphasizing continuity as the company enters a new phase of competition centered on advanced connectivity and artificial intelligence.
“Per has deep technical knowledge of our industry as well as extensive commercial experience,” Chairman Jan Carlson said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Narvinger joined Ericsson in 1997 and has held senior positions spanning research, product development, software and customer operations. Before taking over the Networks division in 2025, he led the company’s Cloud Software and Services business.
The leadership change comes as telecom equipment makers increasingly position themselves around AI-related demand, betting that wider deployment of intelligent systems will require faster, more sophisticated network infrastructure. Ericsson has been emphasizing how next-generation connectivity could support what executives describe as the emerging era of “physical AI,” where autonomous systems and industrial applications become more deeply integrated into real-world environments.
Ekholm, who took over in 2017 amid operational and market challenges, oversaw a broad restructuring effort that helped restore Ericsson’s position in the global telecommunications market. During his tenure, the company strengthened its standing in 5G infrastructure and expanded its focus on software and enterprise opportunities.
The appointment of Narvinger suggests Ericsson is betting that experience within its core networks business to guide its next stage of growth.