Leadership Transition: Johanna Kreft Departs Alleima for Sandvik Role
In a pivotal leadership development, Johanna Kreft, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Alleima, has announced her decision to depart the company for an equivalent executive position at Sandvik. After a tenure spanning nearly a decade, Kreft will conclude her role by October 8, 2025, marking the end of a defining era in Alleima’s legal & strategic evolution.
Johanna has been a key figure within the Group Executive Management since 2015. Her legacy at Alleima is deeply interwoven with critical milestones, notably the spin-off & successful public listing of the company in 2022. Her legal acumen & corporate foresight were instrumental in positioning Alleima as an autonomous and thriving global engineering brand.
Accolades & Acknowledgments from Alleima’s Leadership
Expressing sincere appreciation, Göran Björkman, President & CEO of Alleima, commended Kreft for her enduring contributions to the company’s progress:
“I want to thank Johanna for her excellent contributions to Alleima. In her role as General Counsel, she has played an essential part in the successful spin-off process leading up to the listing of Alleima on the stock exchange in 2022. She has been a highly appreciated colleague, and she has made strong contributions to developing the company and our Legal function. I wish Johanna all the best for the future.”
Such statements reflect her stature not merely as a legal strategist, but as a transformative force in Alleima’s organizational evolution.
Johanna Kreft’s Reflections & Future Outlook
In response, Johanna Kreft shared warm sentiments about her tenure at Alleima, describing her time with the company as “deeply rewarding.” She conveyed optimism for Alleima’s continued growth while expressing readiness for her forthcoming chapter at Sandvik, a group she now rejoins in a fresh capacity.
“I am very grateful for my time as General Counsel at Alleima and look forward to following the company’s development in the future as I now embark on a new journey with the Sandvik Group,” said Kreft.
From Spin-Off Strategist to New Horizons
Kreft’s contributions have spanned legal structuring, governance modernization, & regulatory compliance, all critical in navigating the complexities of Alleima’s demerger from Sandvik and subsequent public listing. Her legal stewardship provided stability during the company's transition from division to independent identity.
Notably, her pre-2022 efforts laid the groundwork for investor confidence, strategic clarity, & regulatory alignment, helping Alleima assert itself in the high-performance materials sector with greater autonomy.
Recruitment Underway: Charting the Next Legal Era at Alleima
Alleima has confirmed that a search process has commenced to appoint Kreft’s successor. This transition will be managed meticulously to ensure continuity in corporate governance, legal integrity, & strategic leadership.
While the legal landscape evolves, Alleima remains steadfast in aligning its next General Counsel with its growth ambitions, sustainability directives, & global regulatory demands.
Legacy of Leadership: Beyond Legal Counsel
Kreft’s departure signals more than a personnel change, it underscores the fluidity of leadership talent within Scandinavia’s industrial corridors. Her cross-pollination from Alleima back to Sandvik highlights the strategic interplay between major Nordic metallurgical players, each benefitting from seasoned leadership as they navigate innovation, ESG commitments & international market shifts.
This transition also reflects a growing trend where executives with multifaceted legal backgrounds are being tasked with steering ESG, compliance & risk strategy at boardroom levels.
Key Takeaways:
• Johanna Kreft, Executive VP & General Counsel of Alleima, will leave for Sandvik by October 8, 2025.
• Kreft joined Alleima in 2015 and has been part of the Group Executive Management since then.
• She played a vital role in Alleima's 2022 stock exchange listing following its spin-off from Sandvik.
• Alleima CEO Göran Björkman praised her contributions & leadership over the years.
• Johanna expressed gratitude for her time at Alleima & optimism for her next role at Sandvik Group.
• A recruitment process for her successor is already underway.
• Kreft’s work included governance, legal risk, corporate structuring & regulatory frameworks.
• Her move reflects the inter-organizational mobility among top Nordic industrial firms.
• The transition reinforces Alleima’s commitment to continuity, compliance, & strategic oversight.
• Johanna Kreft's tenure is noted for transforming legal operations into a central strategic pillar.
