Electrolux appoints new Chief Sustainability Officer as Butani moves to Volvo Cars

Electrolux Group has appointed Elena Breda as its new Chief Sustainability Officer as its previous CSO, Vanessa Butani, has accepted the lead sustainability role at Volvo Cars. 

The two Swedish manufacturers will start the new year under new sustainability leadership as they embark on the next phase of their business transformation. 

Volvo Cars’ Anders Kärrberg to retire

Volvo Cars’ previous Head of Global Sustainability, Anders Kärrberg, will retire at the end of March after five years in the role. 

To replace him, the company poached Vanessa Butani, who has been leading sustainability efforts at Electrolux since 2021. In her time there, she was responsible for developing the group’s sustainability strategy and helped it achieve its first Science Based Targets – reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 82% and Scope 3 products in use emissions by 25% from a 2015 base year) ahead of its 2025 deadline. 

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Butani will report to Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan, supporting the company towards its ambition to only sell fully electric cars by 2030 and “integrating sustainability as a competitive edge in every aspect of the value chain,” she said. 

Electrolux veteran to lead the group towards its new climate targets

Electrolux has appointed Elena Breda to take over from Butani as Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, reporting to President and CEO Jonas Samuelson. Breda is an Electrolux veteran, having started her career there as Business Intelligence Manager in 2002. Her latest role was as senior vice president of the food preservation product line.

From February 1, she will take on her new position as CSO, leading Electrolux’ work in getting a new science-based target approved and implementing it across its operations. 

“Elena’s knowledge and long-time passion for our sustainable product innovation will be invaluable as we continue to develop products and solutions that help people live more sustainably while working toward our For the Better 2030 Goals, including our ambitious climate goals,” said Samuelson.