Packaging group SIG has announced that its chief financial officer, Ann-Kristin Erkens, will take on the role of chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Erkens previously served as SIG’s interim CEO from August 2025 to end of February 2026. She will take over from current CEO Mikko Keto, who took up the position in spring 2026, and will continue to serve as CFO until a successor has been appointed.
Keto has worked with SIG’s wider leadership team to develop the company’s transformation strategy since his appointment. However, the company said its board of directors have since concluded that ‘continuity of leadership and pace of execution’ are currently the biggest priorities, and that Erkens is ‘best placed’ to carry the agenda forward as permanent CEO.
Erkens joined as CFO in November 2023. Prior to joining SIG, she held senior financial, operational and strategic roles during more than 20 years at Henkel.
Ola Rollén, chair of SIG, said: “Mikko joined SIG at an important point in the Company’s development and has contributed to the progress made over the recent months. I would like to thank him for his commitment to SIG and wish him all the best for the future.”
Rollén added: “We are very pleased that Ann-Kristin has agreed to take on the role of CEO. She knows SIG very well, has played a central role in shaping our performance improvement roadmap and has already successfully led the company as interim CEO.”
Commenting on her appointment, Erkens said: “SIG has a strong business, leading technology and long-standing customer relationships. Our priorities are clear: to focus our resources on the areas where we can grow our business to create the greatest value for our customers and shareholders, to further improve operational performance and to maintain strict cost and capital discipline.”
Erkens and the leadership team will provide an update on SIG’s strategy at the Capital Markets Day on 27 October 2026, taking place at The Circle Convention Center at Zurich Airport, Switzerland.
by Melissa Bradshaw
Source: foodbev.com
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