Svenska Spel CEO to depart in January 2024
Patrik Hofbauer will leave Sweden’s state-owned operator after five years to join telecoms firm Telia in the same role
Svenska Spel president and CEO Patrik Hofbauer will step down from his roles on 31 January 2024.
Hofbauer will leave the operator to join telecommunications firm Telia Company as its president and CEO from 1 February 2024.
Under his leadership, he guided Svenska Spel through Sweden’s regulation from a monopoly to a multi-licence model in 2019.
Hofbauer joined the operator in December 2018 after a four-year spell as CEO of Telenor.
He was drafted in to replace long-term CEO Lennart Käll who had served as the boss of the state-owned operator since 2011.
Erik Strand, Svenska Spel chair, thanked Hofbauer for what he achieved during his time with the company.
Strand said: “Through his solid knowledge, great commitment and brilliant leadership qualities, Patrik Hofbauer has successfully led Svenska Spel during a time of major changes for the company.
“Svenska Spel is today a modern company that delivers sustainable gaming experiences. Patrik’s personal leadership has navigated Svenska Spel through the reregulation of the gaming market in 2019 and he, together with the board and his team, has set a clear future agenda and strategy.
“Patrik is a person and company leader who makes a real difference and on behalf of the board I would like to extend a warm and big thank you to him for his valuable contribution to Svenska Spel,” Strand added.
Hofbauer said it wasn’t an easy decision to make after five years in charge but added the company is in a strong position to continue being successful.
Hofbauer commented: “In recent years, I have had the privilege of leading Svenska Spel. It has been a fantastic journey together with our customers, partners and, not least, employees.
“It is not an easy decision to change roles or leave a company that I value so deeply.
“With a strong culture, clear values compass and enormously committed employees and leaders, Svenska Spel is in a position to continue delivering value for our customers, Sweden and the Swedish sports movement,” he concluded.
Svenska Spel confirmed that it has started the process of hiring a new president and CEO.