Volvo Cars Reshapes Leadership to Drive Agility and Strengthen Global Collaboration
Strategic Appointments Aim to Simplify Operations and Accelerate Decision-Making
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Key Executive Appointments Signal New Era for Commercial Operations
Volvo Cars is undergoing a major restructuring of its commercial business operations in a bid to streamline processes, foster greater collaboration, and accelerate decision-making. The leadership reshuffle comes as the automaker seeks to create a more agile work environment and enhance its global market competitiveness.
Among the changes, several key executives have been appointed to pivotal roles that will drive the company’s strategic initiatives forward. Arek Nowinski will assume the position of President of International Markets, tasked with overseeing Volvo’s business operations across Europe, the U.S., Canada, APEC, and Latin America, as well as managing global importers. He will also be responsible for volume planning and Volvo’s global product offering.
Gretchen Saegh-Fleming, who currently heads global marketing, will see her responsibilities expand to include customer experience. Her new role integrates brand management, customer care, and experience analytics—ensuring that Volvo’s marketing and customer engagement strategies are aligned.
Oscar Bertilsson Olsborg, the former CFO of Volvo Cars Americas, has been named Head of Global Commercial Operations. In this role, he will oversee retailer and service development, as well as commercial digital operations, and will report directly to Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan.
Additionally, Erik Severinson, currently serving as Chief Product and Strategy Officer, will take on broader responsibilities, including leading Volvo’s commercial strategy. He will continue to oversee product strategy, sustainability, digital innovation, and energy operations, reflecting Volvo’s commitment to forward-thinking leadership in key growth areas.
These leadership changes follow a series of executive transitions earlier this year. In May, after the departure of former COO and Deputy CEO Javier Varela to Rivian, Severinson, along with Anders Bell, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, and Francesca Gamboni, Chief Supply Chain Officer, began reporting directly to CEO Jim Rowan.
Other members of Volvo’s executive team include CFO Johan Ekdahl, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer Helen Hu, Chief People Officer Hanna Fager, and Chief Communication and External Affairs Officer Olivia Ross-Wilson.
The restructuring is a key part of Volvo Cars’ strategy to reduce complexity and ensure that the company remains agile in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. As the company continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and customer experience, the leadership changes are designed to ensure the right level of focus and execution across its global operations.
The leadership overhaul is also timed with Volvo’s broader goal of reducing environmental impact and transforming its business in response to changing consumer expectations and technological advancements.
