Leif Johansson (businessman)


Leif Johansson is a Swedish businessman. He was President and CEO of the Volvo Group from 1997 to 2011 and Chairman of Ericsson from 2011 until 2017 and is currently Chairman of AstraZeneca plc. In 2012, the Fokus Magazine ranked him as Sweden's 6th most powerful person.

Background

Johansson was born on August 30, 1951, in Gothenburg, Sweden. His father was Lennart Johansson, for many years President of the SKF Group. He and his wife Eva have five children.

Education

Johansson has worked in Swedish industry for most of his professional life. He assumed his first position as Managing Director in 1978, at Husqvarna Motorcycles. In 1982 he became President of Facit, an office machines manufacturer, followed by ten years with white-goods manufacturer Electrolux where he eventually advanced to the position of CEO. In 1997 Johansson was appointed President and CEO of Volvo in Gothenburg, a position he held until 2011.
1974-76 project consultant, Indevo

1977 product developer and assistant to the President, Centro-Maskin

1979 President of Husqvarna Motorcycles

1981 Divisional Manager Office Machines, Facit Sweden

1982 President of Facit

1984 Divisional Manager, AB Electrolux, white-goods

1987 President of AB Electrolux, white-goods

1988 Vice President, AB Electrolux

1991 President of AB Electrolux

1994 CEO, Electrolux

1997 President and CEO, Volvo Group

2011 Chairman, Ericsson

Other Assignments

Chairman of the Board: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Member of the Board: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

Member of Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences

Chairman ERT European Round Table of Industrialists

Awards

The Volvo Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of commercial vehicles with products such as trucks, buses, construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, and aircraft engine components. The Volvo Group also offers its customers financial services. Today the Group has customers in more than 180 countries worldwide, mainly in Europe, Asia and North America. The Group has about 100,000 employees and production facilities in 19 countries.
Decisions adopted under Johansson's leadership:

1998 Acquisition of Samsung's excavator operation, South Korea

1999 Sale of Volvo Cars to Ford Motor Company

2001 Acquisition of Renault Trucks, France, and Mack Trucks, USA

2006 Acquisition of Nissan Diesel, Japan

2007 Acquisition of Ingersoll Rand's road construction machinery division, USA

2008 Agreement on joint venture company with Eicher Motors, India