Jonas Abrahamsson, former CEO of Swedavia, has been appointed as the new CEO of SJ, succeeding Monica Lingegård. The decision comes as SJ seeks long-term leadership continuity. Lingegård, who will remain CEO until March 2026, receives a severance package of 6.6 million kronor. The transition marks a strategic shift as SJ prepares to introduce new vehicles to enhance its services.
Jonas Abrahamsson Appointed as New CEO of SJ, Replacing Monica Lingegård
Jonas Abrahamsson Appointed as New CEO of SJ
Jonas Abrahamsson succeeds Monica Lingegård as CEO of SJ, leaving his role as CEO of Swedavia.
SJ's board has appointed Jonas Abrahamsson, the current CEO of Swedavia, as the new CEO of SJ. He has previously served as CEO of companies including Eon.
– With Jonas Abrahamsson, SJ gains a CEO with extensive experience in both the aviation and energy sectors. These are both customer-focused and investment-heavy industries, providing a solid foundation for the CEO role. Jonas Abrahamsson is a recognized successful leader and team player, says Kenneth Bengtsson, Chairman of SJ's board, in a press release.
He continues by thanking Monica Lingegård.
– Monica Lingegård, who will continue as CEO until March 1, 2026, has courageously, powerfully, and with clear focus put SJ on the right track, and the board would like to express our thanks to Monica Lingegård for this, says Bengtsson.
“Look at the Birth Certificate”
Dagens industri reported on Sunday that SJ's CEO Monica Lingegård is stepping down. She receives a severance package of 6.6 million kronor as the dismissal is a board decision. This amounts to 12 months' salary after Lingegård's last day.
The board told Di that they want “continuity in the position,” referring to Monica Lingegård, 62, approaching retirement age.
– We need a CEO who can have a perspective of 5-7 years, and just looking at Monica's birth certificate, one realizes that a CEO change will occur during this period, said Kenneth Bengtsson to the newspaper.
Would Have Liked to Stay
Monica Lingegård told Svenska Dagbladet on Sunday evening that she would have liked to remain as CEO.
– It is clear that I would have liked to continue, she said to the newspaper.
When asked whether she interprets Bengtsson's statement as age discrimination, she responds:
– I think like this: I will not comment on this right now.
Lingegård's statement on Monday is that she has “respect for the board's decision.”
– I share the board's assessment that SJ is now entering a new phase as SJ will, within a five-year period, receive and put into operation new vehicles that will increase SJ's offerings by percentage, she says in a press release.