From Trainee to President with Ericsson
In September 2025 we get to know Petra Schirren, President of Ericsson Gulf, Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Ericsson, a global leader in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), empowers service providers by delivering innovative, scalable technologies and services that unlock the full potential of connectivity. With a portfolio covering Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and emerging technologies, Ericsson helps customers drive digital transformation, boost efficiency, and discover new revenue streams. Founded in 1876 by Lars Magnus Ericsson on the belief that communication is a basic human need, the company has continually pioneered advancements in mobility and broadband while promoting open standards and collaboration to shape a more connected world. Read more here.
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Every leader's story starts somewhere. Can you take us back to your roots? What shaped the early version of you, both personally and professionally?
Petra Schirren, President of Ericsson Gulf, Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa
I am Petra Schirren, the President of Ericsson, responsible for our operations, sales, and business development within the UAE and across the Gulf region.
I was born in Stockholm, though my parents are from the northern part of Sweden. As a child I spent all my summers and winters in Jämtland, which fostered my love for the outdoors, whether it’s running, hiking, or skiing. I am a competitive person who loves to challenge myself. I am also a foodie, which makes living in the Middle East a real treat. I joined Ericsson as a young woman fresh out of university, with a Master of Science in Business and Economics. While many of my classmates went into finance or consulting, I chose a different path. Tempted by the possibility of living and working abroad and intrigued by the notion of how mobile technology could change the world, I joined the Ericsson Management Trainee Program in 2000. From the outset, I was drawn to roles that challenged me to think beyond the immediate task, roles that required collaboration, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. Over time, those experiences shaped the way I lead today with a focus on impact, empathy, and execution.
From trainee to President of the Gulf Region, what a remarkable 25-year journey. What have been the defining moments or unexpected turns along the way that shaped your path?
At Ericsson, I have had the opportunity to live and work in six different countries, in different business areas, technology, marketing, strategy, and sales roles. With every step in this journey, I have learned new skills and grown as an individual. Some of the most defining moments came when I stepped into unfamiliar territory and took on opportunities I had not originally foreseen. Those leaps of faith have gradually built my confidence to lead through complexity or change and have taught me the value of adaptability, collaboration, and the virtue of listening. Ericsson has been like a family to me, providing me with the framework to succeed, supporting me in times of need, while also expecting a lot in return. None of it would have been possible without results orientation, hard work, an everlasting curiosity to learn, and fantastic people around me.
As you step into this exciting new chapter, what are some of your key strategies you are focusing on to lead Ericsson Gulf into the future?
My focus is on execution and translating the region's bold digital ambitions into outcomes that are scalable, inclusive, and future-ready. One of my biggest prioritiesis accelerating the deployment of 5G standalone networks. According to our latest Ericsson Mobility Report, the Gulf is projected to achieve 90 percent 5G adoption by 2030, a milestone reflecting both the region's ambition and Ericsson's execution focus. AI is another core pillar. We are embedding intelligence into networks to enable greater automation, optimize performance, and support real-time decision-making. Private 5G networks are also gaining momentum across sectors like energy, manufacturing, and public safety, and we are working closely with partners to tailor these deployments for high-impact use cases. Fixed wireless access (FWA) remains an important lever, especially to help bridge digital divides and support smart city goals. Alongside that, we are investing in energy-efficient technologies aligned with national sustainability agendas. Our partnership with regional operators in deploying 5G Advanced, including RedCap and AI-powered RAN, underlines our focus on capacity, coverage, and greener networks. In the end, our strategy is about translating regional ambition into real-world results through collaboration, momentum, and purpose-driven innovation.
Looking back over two decades with Ericsson, what moments still make you smile or stand as milestones you are truly proud of?
There have been many meaningful milestones. Some were competence-based, proving to myself that a non-engineer can learn to master the art of telecoms and its technical language. Experiencing new cultures and meeting new friends as I moved around the world provided me with some of my happiest moments. Others were about people and partnerships, building high-performing teams, mentoring future leaders, and working alongside governments and service providers to bring next-generation connectivity to life. What makes me most proud is seeing the broader impact of how our work helps improve education, public safety, and equal access to opportunity. That is when it becomes more than just technology. It becomes a force for inclusion and progress, and that is why I continue to find this work so rewarding.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for your career and personal growth?
Growth is a continuous process, one that requires staying curious, open, and grounded. Professionally, I want to continue contributing to meaningful changes, whether by scaling innovation, developing inclusive teams, or supporting sustainable outcomes. The Gulf is full of that energy, forward-thinking, collaborative, and ambitious. I hope that, apart from my day-to-day accountability toward our customers, my team, and Ericsson, I am able to inspire others to commence a journey that might not at first seem like the obvious one. That I may coach and support others to develop and grow. Because in the end, successful business is all about people with diverse experiences and skills working together toward a common goal, creating something larger than the individual.
At Ericsson, we are a family, and as in any family, it is not always easy. But with challenge comes opportunity, and I, for one, am excited to be part of creating a connected digital society and to drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution.