After almost four years as CEO of Sweden's marketing company, Ewa Lagerqvist is leaving Visit Sweden. During this period, the business has undergone major changes and has been financially tightened.
– It has been a fantastic year, challenging but enriching, as we have, among other things, introduced a clear agenda for sustainability and digitalization. At the same time, we have been a driving force in the tourism industry's investment in sustainability and, through the concept of Svemester, have recently been assigned the task of marketing Sweden at home.
– I have had the privilege of working with skilled colleagues who are now equipped to take the company into the future with new energy, says Ewa Lagerqvist.
Even though the tourism industry is currently in a deep crisis due to the pandemic, Visit Sweden has contributed to the tourism industry's export revenues and positive attention abroad over the past four years. By creating positive attention for Sweden abroad, the government grant of approximately SEK 100 million has been converted into an attention value of just over SEK 900 million annually.
Ewa Lagerqvist's assignment from the board included, among other things, implementing a comprehensive restructuring of Visit Sweden and creating the conditions for sustainable, digitalized and commercial operations that are relevant to a rapidly developing tourism industry.
– Ewa has done a fantastic job of transforming Visit Sweden into a company that now has the potential to develop and grow, but as the company enters a new phase of translating plans and strategies into concrete activities, it is time for a change of leadership, says Visit Sweden's Chairman of the Board Karin Johansson.
Ewa will leave the operational role as CEO in February and Susanne Andersson, current vice chair of Visit Sweden's board, will take over as acting CEO until a new, long-term CEO is recruited. The recruitment process has already begun.
In connection with Susanne Andersson becoming acting CEO, she will temporarily leave her position on the company's board.
To ensure continued strong progress in the company, Hanna Stenholm is appointed as Deputy CEO. Hanna is currently Chief Officer for Business Support at Visit Sweden.
