Leif Johansson

Founder and owner of AB Aphrae
29916 Aphrae Leif Johansson-384pxl copy

Leif Johansson started AB Aphrae in 2006. Based on his more than 30 years in leading positions within Swedish and international companies with global operations, he has long term experience of international competition and the demands on companies and their leadership.

He went early into General management but has maintained a keen interest in science and technology, leading him often to work in companies that are focused in areas of science, research and product development.
Over the decades the companies he has worked with have participated extensively in acquisition and business development programs globally, both in making transactions and in building global teams for execution.

Leif has also had the opportunity to be involved in a number of non-commercial assignments both in policy making and in the academic world. This have often been in connection with sustainable and industrial development issues, where he has often participated and sometimes chaired various working and advisory groups.

Other areas of interest for Leif has been how to make countries and cities more entrepreneurial and competitive in the global economy. These interests have often made him an advisor to policy makers and universities in European countries, the European Commission and China.


Full CV

Born 1951

Master of Science in Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology

Board Chairman: Ecolean AB

Board Member: Autoliv Inc, Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse

  • Other assignments
    • Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences



  • Principal work experience and other information
    • Chairman of the Board of Directors AstraZeneca PLC 2012-2023

      Chairman of the Board of Directors Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson 2011-2018

      Chairman of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) 2012-2017

      President and CEO of AB Volvo 1997-2011

      Served on the board of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, SCA 2006-2016

      Served on the board of Bristol Myers Squibb 1998-2011

      With the Electrolux Group (Husqvarna Motorcycles, Facit Group) 1979, Executive Vice President of AB Electrolux 1988-1991, President 1991-1994 and President and CEO of AB Electrolux 1994-1997

      Holds honorary Doctorates of technology at Chalmers University of Technology and at Blekinge Institute of Technology

      Holds honorary Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg

      Officer dans L'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur (France)

      His Majesty the King’s Medal, 12th Dimension, with the Ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim (Sweden)

      Former Member of the European Round Table of Industrialists ERT

      Former Delegate of the China Development Forum

      Former Member of the Board of the BOAO Forum