We begin the year by introducing our new CEO, Maria Lidström. She took up her position on November 1, 2025, and has now, after a transition period working alongside former CEO Anders Hedlund, fully assumed the role. Most recently, Maria worked at the law firm Kaiding for around 10 years as a business lawyer. Alongside this, she has also held several board positions, often focusing on corporate matters, structure, and strategic choices.

– It’s been a very good start for me here at Fumex. Working alongside Anders, with all his experience and knowledge, has given me a sense of security and helped me quickly settle into both the day-to-day operations and the role itself. There is a lot to take in, but the stability within Fumex makes it easier to land, says Maria.

Even though Maria is new in the role of CEO, she is far from new to the company. She has been a member of Fumex’s board for about 2.5 years and during that time has gotten to know both the business and the people behind it.

– As a board member, you have a more overview-oriented strategic role, making sure the company is on the right long-term path and making sound decisions. Now I’m truly part of the daily operations, and that’s something completely different. I’m closer to the business, closer to the decisions, and closer to the people who make things happen.

A personal path into Fumex

Maria’s connection to Fumex goes back a long way, and her father was previously involved in running the company together with Anders. When he passed away, she took over his seat on the board.

– It’s inspiring to continue building something that meant so much to him. Fumex has made an incredible journey from a small local company to an international business with subsidiaries and customers in many markets.

“A little better every day”

When asked what attracted her to Fumex, Maria keeps coming back to one thing: the drive.

– There’s a special sense of ambition here. There’s a constant desire to improve and develop. I really like Fumex’s motto, “A little better every day.” It suits me very well.

For Maria, the role of CEO is less about focusing on details and more about setting direction and creating the right conditions for her employees.

– I believe in leadership based on trust. Everyone here is very good at what they do. My job is to make sure they have the best possible conditions to succeed and do their best work. The fact that many people have worked here for a long time also creates a sense of security for both the organization and me.

More strategy and a clearer direction

With the pandemic behind them and new premises in place, Maria believes this is a good time to lift their gaze even further. For her, it’s largely about strategy, keeping an eye on the outside world in a more uncertain international situation, and working more clearly on what the next step for Fumex should be.

– We shouldn’t be afraid of change, and we should dare to ask ourselves: what is our next milestone? Is it new markets, new areas of development, new business areas, or new products? We don’t need to run fast, but we do need to know where we’re going. It’s about making wise decisions and taking well-considered steps, Maria concludes.