Billerud’s board has announced that the company’s president and CEO Christoph Michalski is leaving the CEO role at Billerud, with immediate effect. Michalski has held the position of CEO since November 2020.

The board of Billerud has appointed the current CFO and deputy CEO, Ivar Vatne, as acting CEO. Ivar Vatne joined the company as CFO in May 2019 and has also been deputy CEO since October 2022. Before Billerud, Ivar has a background from senior positions within Arla, Fiskars and P&G.

“The board is confident that Ivar Vatne can quickly step into the role of acting CEO and that he can lead the implementation of our established strategy,” says Jan Svensson, chairman of the board in Billerud.

“The board would like to thank Christoph Michalski for his significant contribution to Billerud. In the three years he has led the company together with the CFO, the company has introduced a new strategy, laid the foundation for a future Norwegian BCTMP factory in close cooperation with Viken Skog, and completed the strategically vital acquisition of Verso in North America”, says Jan Svensson, chairman of the board in Billerud.

The recruitment of a new CEO will start up immediately.