Well-known e-book and audiobook subscription service Storytel is experiencing a milestone in its history. The founder of Stockholm-based company Jonas Tellander will be no longer CEO of Storytel after being seventeen years at the helm and leave his place to Ingrid Bojner as Interim CEO of the company.
Tellander wants to play a more active role as the owner and Board member. After the announcement of the news, Tellander shared his feelings about the journey in which he has been from the point he tried to convince others about the Storytel to this moment he has decided to step down.
Jonas Tellander to step down as Storytel CEO – search process for a new CEO initiated
Storytel AB announced today that its founder Jonas Tellander is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on February 18, 2022. Tellander will remain on the company’s Board of Directors. Deputy CEO Ingrid Bojner will step in as Interim CEO, as the Board initiates the search process for a new CEO.
Jonas Tellander has been the CEO of the company since 2005, when he founded it together with Jon Hauksson.
“Thirteen years ago, I stood in front of the investors in the Swedish public service broadcaster SVT’s adaptation of Dragon’s Den, trying to convince them that Storytel and audiobooks in the mobile phone would be big one day. Today, all my wildest dreams about Storytel have come true. The audiobook has also helped the book industry grow, which makes me extra proud. It’s time for new leadership at Storytel, seventeen years of full focus on Storytel has taken its toll.
The team is now stronger than ever and will, under Ingrid’s leadership, take big steps this year. Personally, after a little time off, I look forward to continuing to create value in Storytel as an owner and Board member. Over time, I also strive be a strong and genuine voice in society in matters concerning reading and entrepreneurship,” said Jonas Tellander, CEO and founder of Storytel.
Hans-Holger Albrecht, Chairman of the Storytel Board, said:
“Jonas Tellander has informed the Board that he wishes to step down as CEO and take a different role in the company, as Board member and active owner. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Jonas for his unmatched dedication, visionary leadership and relentless resilience. He has not only founded the company – he has reinvented an entire industry and we are very happy that he will be part of our journey also going forward.”
“We will start the search immediately for the right person to take the company to its next level of growth and expansion. In the meantime, we are glad to announce that Ingrid Bojner will take on the role as Interim CEO. She has been instrumental to the company’s development in recent years and is a proven leader with a strong track record.”
