Yet more changes at the top for Tele2 – new boss Nicholas Högberg (pictured) will succeed outgoing CEO Jean Marc Harion on 1 July
The CEO of Tele2, Jean Marc Harion, has told the board of directors he intends to step down for personal reasons, effective on 30 June 2026. He has been CEO of Tele2 for 19 months, and a board member for 25 months. Previously Harion was CEO of Play in Poland. Tele2 and Play are owned by France’s Groupe Iliad.
Tele2’s top team has undergone a number of changes since last October when Groupe Iliad indirectly became Tele2’s largest shareholder with 19.8% stake, having completed a three-transaction deal via Freya Investment and NJJ Holdings. The Swedish group is also shedding staff.
After Harion’s announcement, the board activated the succession plan and appointed the current Deputy CEO, Nicholas Högberg (pictured) to serve as President and CEO, effective from 1 July 2026. Högberg is also Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer B2C at Tele2 and a former member of the Board of Directors.
Harion will retain a seat on the board, subject to the agreement of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting scheduled on 18 May 2026.
Högberg has more than 25 years’ leadership experience in the telecoms, media and technology, including operational knowledge and “a remarkable record of delivering results across diverse business environments,” according to the press statement.
He spent nine years as the boss of Three Sweden “driving sustained market share expansion, and also guided a technology scale-up through one of Europe’s most notable organic growth trajectories,” the statement also says.
Thomas Reynaud, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tele2 and CEO of Groupe Iliad, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our deep gratitude to Jean Marc for everything he has brought to Tele2 as Chief Executive Officer these past years. His vision and dedication at the forefront of Tele2 have helped carry the company forward, nurturing the momentum and opening doors to a promising new chapter. We look forward to continuing benefiting from his experience and collaboration as a member of the Board of Directors.”
He added, “We are delighted that Nicholas Högberg has accepted the role of new CEO. The Board and I have full confidence that Nicholas is the ideal candidate to steer the company into its next chapter. He is an accomplished executive who, throughout his career and across varied sectors, has repeatedly shown an ability to strengthen business performance while pursuing disciplined growth and strategic focus.”
Jean Marc Harion comments, “It has been a true privilege to serve as CEO of Tele2 and to have played my part in the growth and success of the company. It has been an exciting journey that I will look back on with gratitude and pride. I am fully committed to ensuring the steady handover of the reins to my successor in the upcoming months as I look forward to continuing to serve in my capacity as a Board member.”
Högberg said, “I am thrilled and deeply grateful to take on the role of President and CEO of Tele2. Through my time as Deputy CEO and previously on the Board of Directors of Tele2, I have gained a deep understanding of the company and of our people.
“Tele2 stands out as a benchmark in the telecom industry and carries a distinctive challenger spirit. We will harness that drive to further develop our strong brand, keep elevating the customer experience and unlock new avenues for growth.”
