Paradox Interactive has named Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja as its next chief executive, with Fredrik Wester stepping down from the role to stay on the board. Lilja takes over on January 4th 2027.
According to a release published on November 11th 2026, Wester remains CEO until then to keep the handover orderly. He will continue as a board member, focusing on the company’s long-term development, and stays Paradox’s largest shareholder. The company says its strategic direction ‘remains firm’. Paradox is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker PDX), and the news went out as a regulatory disclosure under the EU Market Abuse Regulation.
The release calls the change a ‘natural evolution’ of how the company is already run. Since 2021, Lilja has taken on more of the day-to-day operations and strategy, while Wester has moved toward long-term goals.
“I’m truly grateful to all our engaged players and talented colleagues who contribute to outstanding gaming experiences every day,” Wester said. “My plan was never to be CEO for life.” He added that the company has streamlined its strategy, rebuilt its pipeline and developed its commercial offering since he returned as CEO, and that Lilja had a central role in all of it.
Håkan Sjunnesson, Chairman of the Board, thanked Wester for his ‘visionary leadership’. “Mattias is the right person to lead the company going forward,” Sjunnesson said, citing his ‘deep operational and commercial expertise’.
Lilja said he approaches the role “with great humility”. “Now we’re stepping up the pace: we will make further investments in our core business, push the boundaries of our game design, work even more closely with our loyal players, develop more and better tools and services that benefit both modders and players,” he said. He also pledged to keep sharpening how the company works, with ‘player value in focus’.
Who is Mattias Lilja?
Lilja joined Paradox in 2009 as its first producer. Since then he has headed the studio organisation, led Publishing and served as chief operating officer (COO), among other roles. He became Deputy CEO in April 2024, according to an earlier Paradox announcement. The release credits his leadership with the launch of several franchises that shape the current portfolio: Cities: Skylines, Hearts of Iron IV and Stellaris.
Paradox describes itself as a leading developer and publisher of strategy and management games for PC and consoles, with six million players a month and its biggest markets in North America, Western Europe and Asia. The portfolio includes Age of Wonders, Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Prison Architect, Victoria and the Surviving games. Paradox also owns the rights to the World of Darkness universe.
The following was sent as a press release to Inven Global.
