Ellen Svanström in

Ellen Svanström

Observer · DISC type ic
Group CDIO Chief Digital Information Officer / Group CIO at H&M Group
📍 Greater Stockholm Metropolitan Area, Sweden

As the Chief Digital and Information Officer at H&M Group, Ellen Svanström has been leading one of fashions most ambitious retail-tech transformations. In early 2026, she announced her decision to leave the company after a decade-long tenure that included heading Group Strategy and Business Ventures. Her background includes leadership roles at IBM.

Ellen is a passionate advocate for mentorship and fostering inclusive communities, actively participating in events supporting women in tech. She champions innovation, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, and shows a keen interest in changemakers who are working to create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

In 2025, she was featured on the Glossy 50 list as one of "The Accelerators" for her impactful work in advancing H&Ms technology agenda.

Read the full overview →
Experience
30 Years
Current Role
Group CDIO Chief Digital Information Officer / Group CIO
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Greater Stockholm Metropolitan Area, Sweden
Personality Overview

How Ellen shows up

Value Driven
Example Seeker
Curious

They can sound friendly and charming but can quickly change gears to become inquisitive and probing. They are likely to ask many questions and look heavily for supporting information. They are generally good communicators and can be hard to convince.

Priorities

Topics Ellen cares about

Retail Digitalization
Leads initiatives to create 'smart stores' using RFID, AI, and real-time data to merge the physical and digital customer experience, making stores operate with the insight of a website.
Creative AI
Views AI as a tool to augment human creativity rather than replace it, using it to enhance design feedback loops and dynamic styling algorithms.
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Career

Work history

2-2023
Group CDIO Chief Digital Information Officer / Group CIO
H&M Group
10-2020 - 1-2023
Head of Business Ventures
H&M Group
4-2018 - 10-2020
Head of Group Strategy
H&M Group
8-2016 - 4-2018
Group Business Development and Innovation
H&M Group
10-2015 - 8-2016
Strategic Advisor
Novandi Strategy
In the press

Media appearances

Updates to H&M Group Executive Management Team. Featured in H&M Group
See now
Education
2012 - 2012
IBM Executive Program
Questrom School of Business, Boston University
2011 - 2011
Leadership Program
Ruter Dam
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

i

Influence (I)

Influence (I) reflects the degree to which a person prefers to work by influencing or persuading others. Those scoring high tend to be people oriented, motivated by social recognition and building relationships.

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