Who was H&M’s first female chief executive officer?

Helena Helmersson became H&M’s first female chief executive officer in 2020.

Before becoming CEO, Helmersson held several roles at H&M and had particular responsibility for sustainability and supply-chain issues. Her appointment was notable because it placed a long-serving company executive at the head of one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.

Helmersson succeeded Karl-Johan Persson as CEO when Persson became chair of the board. She later left the CEO role in 2024 and was succeeded by Daniel Ervér.

Helena Helmersson is sometimes confused with H&M’s chairpersons or members of the Persson family, which has been closely associated with the company. The question concerns the company’s first woman to hold the CEO position.