Leif Johansson

Leif Valdemar Johansson (born 30 August 1951) is a Swedish businessman. He was President and CEO of the Volvo Group from 1997 to 2011 and Chairman of Ericsson from 2011 until 2017 and is currently Chairman of AstraZeneca plc. In 2012, the Fokus Magazine ranked him as Sweden's 6th most powerful person. Background Johansson was born on August 30, 1951, in Gothenburg, Sweden. His father was Lennart Johansson, for many years President of the SKF Group (1971-1985). He and his wife Eva have five children. Education 1958-1971 primary education, Gothenburg 1968 Chatsworth High School, Chatsworth, California 1971 matriculation, natural sciences, Kjellbergska Gymnasiet, Gothenburg 1972 Sergeant, Swedish Air Force 1977 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg Career Johansson has worked in Swedish industry for most of his professional life. He assumed his first position as Managing Director in 1978 (age of 27), at Husqvarna Motorcycles. In 1982 he became President of Facit, an office machines manufacturer, followed by ten years with white-goods manufacturer Electrolux where he eventually advanced to the position of CEO. In 1997 Johansson was appointed President and CEO of Volvo in Gothenburg, a position he held until 2011.