Storytel, a Stockholm-based audiobook and e-book streaming service, announced on Thursday that its founder Jonas Tellander is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from February 18, 2022.
Deputy CEO Ingrid Bojner will step in as the Interim CEO of Storytel, while the Board initiates the search process for a new CEO.
Tellander, who has been the CEO of Storytel since 2005, will remain on Storytel’s Board of Directors.
Tellander says, “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 to be a strong and genuine voice in society in matters concerning reading and entrepreneurship,” he adds.
Storytel: What you need to know
Founded by Jonas Tellander and Jon Hauksson, Storytel is an audiobook and e-book streaming service offering over 700,000 titles globally. With Storytel, users can discover detective stories, novels, or biographies, and easily sort books in Swedish, English, Arabic, Danish or Finnish.
The streaming business within the Storytel Group is conducted under the brands Storytel, Mofibo and Audiobooks.com. The publishing business is managed by Storytel Books and by the audiobook publisher StorySide. The Storytel Group operates in over 25 markets.
Last month, Hans-Holger Albrecht was appointed as new Chairman replacing Stefan Blom.
Albrecht says, “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. 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 of Interim CEO. She has been instrumental to the company’s development in recent years and is a proven leader with a strong track record,” he adds.