Göran Blomberg has been selected as the interim CEO of Catena Media, taking over from Per Hellberg who left the post on January 7.
Blomberg has served as a member of the Catena Media board of directors since May 2019, having also held the position of chairman since May 2020. During his tenure as CEO, Öystein Engebretsen will serve as the interim chairman of the board.
Engebretsen has been a member of Catena´s board since October 2018, and is currently the Investment Manager at Investment AB Öresund and board member of INSR Insurance Group ASA and Scandi Standard AB.
“We are pleased to appoint Göran Blomberg as the new interim CEO of Catena Media,” said Engebretsen. “Göran Blomberg has solid experience and brings more than 30 years of managerial experience to the role in a public listed environment. This makes him a good fit with Catena Media for the transition period.
“The board also wants to take this opportunity to thank Per Hellberg for his time with Catena Media.”
Blomberg has amassed more than 30 years of management experience during his career, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer and board member at ICA handlarnas Förbund.
Looking towards his role as interim CEO, Blomberg said that Catena Media will place a new focus upon organic growth and potential strategic acquisitions. In a statement, he praised the company’s successful entry into the US and Japanese markets, having also “developed the highly profitable AskGamblers product within the European market.”
Blomberg added: “Subsequently strengthening the company’s financial position through a successfully executed rights issue of a hybrid bond in June, we will now refocus on organic growth and potential strategic acquisitions.
“Additionally, we will improve operational efficiency through an enhanced focus on BI and AI to create an even more scalable business solution. McKinsey & Company has just been engaged to further accelerate this transformation process.”
The search for a permanent CEO is currently ongoing as the company searches for a candidate to “lead Catena Media through this transformation process” as it pursues additional growth opportunities.
Engebretsen concluded: “To execute and lead Catena Media through this transformation process The board has commenced the search for a new CEO with relevant professional experiences and a track record of success to facilitate Catena Media’s shift into an even more profitable growth phase.”