The Volvo board of directors has approved the appointment of Jim Rowan as the new CEO and president of Volvo Cars. He will replace Hakan Samuelsson, whose departure is in line with the timing previously laid out by the company.
“I am delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an exciting time for the company and at such a transformational time for both the industry and consumers,” said Rowan, in a statement. “The strong track record of Volvo Cars across innovation, safety, and quality, coupled with world-class talent and inspiring sustainability and technology capabilities, places it in the driver’s seat for the road ahead.”
Rowan will take on his new role starting on March 21, 2022. He is currently the CEO of Ember Technologies and held the position of CEO at Dyson between 2017 and 2020. Before that, he was the company’s COO from 2012-2017 and worked as the COO of BlackBerry before that.
Read More: Stefan Jacoby Steps Down as Volvo’s CEO, is Replaced by Hakan Samuelsson
“I am very pleased to welcome Jim Rowan as the new CEO of Volvo Cars,” said Eric Li, chairperson of the board of Volvo Cars. “Volvo Cars is going through a rapid transformation of digitalization which is why we wanted to bring in someone with global CEO experience from outside the automotive industry. Jim is the right person to accelerate Volvo Cars into the future.”
Samuelsson joined Volvo Cars as a member of the board in 2010 and has held the position of CEO since 2012. He will remain in the position until March, at which time he will also leave the board. He will, however, continue as the chairperson of Polestar and see it through its de-SPAC process.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to all Volvo Cars employees for the incredible progress we have made together in the past 10 years – for not only making Volvo one of the fastest growing and most trusted premium automotive brands, but for always innovating and leading with purpose. I wish you all the best for the exciting years to come,” said Samuelsson.
