Södra Fires CEO Brodén, Södra Cell's Saltin to Take Over Temporarily

The board of directors at Södra, Sweden, this week said that it has decided to start searching for a new CEO and group president, noting that it and CEO Leif Brodén have "differing views" regarding the ongoing development of the company and what is required in the form of leadership and clarity. The board said it is terminating the employment of Brodén immediately.

At the same time, the board decided to temporarily extend responsibilities of the president of Södra Cell, Gunilla Saltin, to also include the role of CEO for the entire Södra group. Recruitment of a new CEO will begin immediately. Until a new CEO is appointed, Board Chairman Christer Segerstéen will extend his involvement in the company and take over as acting chairman. In this role, he will mainly assist the acting CEO with ownership and industry issues.

Brodén has been employed by Södra since 1999, initially to head Södra Cell, Södra's biggest subsidiary, and then as CEO and group president. Saltin has been president of Södra Cell since 2008. She joined Södra in 2000, and previously held the position of plant manager at Södra Cell Värö.

"Business at Södra subsidiaries Södra Cell, Södra Timber, Södra Interiör, and Södra Skog is successful in their respective areas. This guarantees that Södra will not suffer any adverse effects in the limited time estimated to find a new CEO," Segerstéen said.

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