Katarina Berg, chief human resources officer, Spotify, will step down later this month after 12 years with the company. Anna Ludström will succeed her, taking charge of Spotify’s people strategy and workplace culture.
Ludström is currently serving as the Spotify’s VP-HR and has been associated with the company for about nine years now. She joined the company in 2016 as its global business partner-HR.
Berg joined Spotify in 2013, contributing significantly to the company’s growth. Under her leadership, the workforce expanded tenfold, spreading across multiple regions while maintaining a strong, value-driven culture. She championed initiatives promoting flexibility, inclusivity, and employee well-being.
Her expertise lies in strategic planning; M&A; integration; organisational reengineering and building up organisations that lead to sustainable growth and profitability.
One of her most notable achievements was launching Spotify’s global parental leave policy in 2015, known as #LeadOnLeave. This policy grants full-time employees up to six months of fully-paid parental leave, usable within three years of their child’s birth.
Berg also introduced other employee-friendly initiatives, including flexible holidays and development programmes focused on competence-based growth. Spotify’s flat organisational structure has promoted autonomy and engagement, fostering a workplace culture aligned with its values.
Berg has also served as a non-executive & advisory board member for many renowned brands such as Personio, Spring Media, Bambuser, Bonnier Ventures, House of Education, Britny and Elitfotboll Dam (EFD). She’s currently serving as the board director for Investor AB.
As Berg steps down, her legacy of empathy, inclusion, and innovation leaves a lasting impact on Spotify’s workplace culture. Ludström will now lead the company’s efforts to build on this foundation and drive further growth.
