Stockholm, Sweden, October 2025 — Ovako Group, a global leader in high-quality engineering steel and sustainable manufacturing, has announced the appointment of Anna Thorslund as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). In this leadership role, Anna will drive the company’s global people strategy, organizational development, and culture transformation as Ovako continues its mission to build a more sustainable, decarbonized steel industry.
Anna’s appointment reflects her deep expertise in human resources, organizational design, and leadership development across global industrial, technology, and service-based sectors. With over 15 years of HR leadership experience, she brings a strong combination of strategic vision and operational excellence to Ovako’s executive team.
Anna has been part of Ovako Group for more than two years, most recently serving as HR Manager for Group Functions & Sales and Cromax. In that role, she played a pivotal part in strengthening Ovako’s HR infrastructure, talent management programs, and leadership development initiatives across business functions. Her work has been instrumental in shaping a people-first culture and aligning HR practices with Ovako’s sustainability-driven business goals.
Before joining Ovako, Anna held a senior HR leadership position at Viaplay Group, where she served as Senior People & Culture Business Partner for Group Functions. She supported organizational transformation efforts, leadership engagement, and cultural initiatives during a period of strategic business expansion.
Previously, Anna spent over seven years at ISS Facility Services Sweden, where she rose through multiple roles, including HR Manager, Shared Services (People & Culture) and HR Business Partner. During her tenure, she led a large team of HR professionals, partnered with corporate leadership teams, and oversaw major organizational transitions and integrations. Her leadership contributed to ISS Sweden’s evolution as one of the most people-focused and service-oriented organizations in the region.
Earlier in her career, Anna held HR leadership positions at OpenText, where she managed HR operations for the Nordic region, and at Philip Morris International, where she played key roles in HR transformation, talent management, and global process optimization. Her experience also includes assignments with SunGard and Academic Work, where she gained foundational experience in recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement.
About Ovako Group
Ovako Group is a leading manufacturer of clean, high-quality engineering steel serving customers across the bearing, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. The company achieved carbon-neutral operations in January 2022, a landmark accomplishment driven by its commitment to using recycled steel and fossil-free electricity.
Headquartered in Sweden, Ovako operates with 2,900 employees across 30+ countries and generates approximately EUR 1.1 billion in annual sales. A subsidiary of Sanyo Special Steel and part of the Nippon Steel Corporation, Ovako stands at the forefront of the global steel industry’s transition toward sustainability. The company’s mission, “Together we create steel for a decarbonized society,” embodies its dedication to innovation, responsibility, and long-term value creation.
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