Relais Group, a leading acquisition platform in the commercial vehicle aftermarket in Northern Europe, has completed a planned leadership transition as Christian Johansson Gebauer assumed his role as CEO on January 19, succeeding long-serving chief executive Arni Ekholm. 

Ekholm stepped down from the group management team and will continue as senior advisor to the board until his retirement on 31 March 2026, the Helsinki-based company that distributes spare parts announced today.

Relais posted strong earnings in Q3. For January to September 2025, net sales grew 15% to EUR 266.8 million, and comparable EBITA rose 6% to EUR 27.7 million, reflecting continued growth despite margin pressure and lower operating cash flow compared with the prior year period, according to the interim report.

Johansson Gebauer said he was “excited to step into the role as CEO of Relais Group at a time when the company has good momentum and a proven strategy,” highlighting the group’s decentralized and entrepreneurial operating model.

Ekholm, who led the company for a decade, said, “I am now pleased to hand over to Christian this great company that is poised for further profitable growth.”

Shareholders representing more than 50% of Relais Group’s shares plan to propose Ekholm as a member of the board of directors at the 2026 annual general meeting.