Martin Hansson appointed new CEO of Salix Group business area.

The Board of Directors of Salix Group, an independent business area within Volati, has appointed Martin Hansson as the new CEO to succeed Håkan Karlström. For the last four years, Martin has worked for the German holding company maxingvest, with an annual revenue of over EUR 10 billion. maxingvest is the holding company for Beiersdorf (NIVEA) and Tchibo. Prior to that, he spent 17 years with IKEA, most recently as a member of Group management with global responsibility for the store network and international expansion.

Since the acquisition of the Lomond Industrier platform, Salix Group has developed into an independent business area within Volati with a market-leading position. Average annual profit growth since the acquisition in 2015 has exceeded 20 percent and the Group currently has sales of almost SEK 3 billion. As part of Volati’s new structure that was put in place during spring, Salix Group has been given greater autonomy, with its own board. The aim of the new structure is to ensure a continuing high rate of growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Martin Hansson to Salix Group. He has had a fantastic career at IKEA, from the role of assistant to Ingvar Kamprad all the way up to Group management. Martin has long and solid experience of working in growth companies in Sweden and internationally. This makes him well suited to take over the baton in the continuing work on rapid growth for Salix Group,” says Mårten Andersson, Chairman of the Board of Salix Group.

In addition to being a member of the maxingvest board, Martin Hansson is also Vice-Chairman of the supervisory board of the German personal care company Beiersdorf and a member of the supervisory board of the German coffee and retail chain Tchibo. Both companies are part of maxingvest’s portfolio.

Martin takes up his new role on 1 September this year.

“Salix Group’s exciting growth agenda, great track record and high ambitions are an environment that appeals to me. With my experience of growth companies and international expansion, I hope to make a positive contribution to further strengthening the company’s position,” says Martin Hansson.

Håkan Karlström is leaving his operational role at his own request after 25 successful years with Salix Group and its predecessor – the last six years being with the Volati Group.

“I would like to thank Håkan for the fantastic work he has done in bringing Salix Group to the strong market position it has today. His role in Salix Group’s successful development over the years can hardly be overstated. We now look forward to continuing our close relationship with Håkan in his next stage of life,” says Mårten Andersson.