Cathrine Wigzell, who recently took up the position of CEO of Rusta, has been named Ruter Dam of the Year 2026. The honorary award is presented to the woman who has been promoted to the most influential executive position in Swedish business during the past year.

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On 1 June 2026, Cathrine Wigzell took up her position as CEO of Rusta. She joins Rusta from her role as General Manager of H&M Beauty and has extensive international experience in the retail sector, including previous senior positions at Kicks and Åhléns.

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“It is a great honour to receive the Ruter Dam of the Year award, and I was both delighted and proud when I received the news. Ruter Dam plays an important role in developing leadership and highlighting more female role models in Swedish business. I see the award as recognition of the results we have achieved together in the organisations where I have worked over the years,” says Cathrine Wigzell, CEO of Rusta.

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Rusta is a leading player in the Nordic discount retail market. The company offers a wide range of products for the home and leisure and operates more than 240 stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany, as well as an online business. During the 2025/2026 financial year, Rusta's net sales amounted to approximately SEK 12.6 billion. Rusta has more than 5,000 employees and its headquarters are located in Upplands Väsby, Sweden. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

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“Cathrine Wigzell has extensive experience in senior leadership positions within the retail sector and has demonstrated her ability to develop businesses, drive expansion and reach new customers. She combines a strong commercial and customer focus with strategic thinking and the ability to inspire and engage. This is a leadership style that is well suited to taking Rusta into its next phase, making Cathrine a natural recipient of the Ruter Dam of the Year 2026 award,” says Marika Lundsten, CEO of Ruter Dam.

 

The honorary Ruter Dam of the Year award has been presented annually since 1990. The recipient is selected by Ruter Dam CEO Marika Lundsten together with the Board, consisting of Chair Heléne Mellquist, Anna Borg, Malin Frenning, and Honorary Board Member Gunilla Arhén.

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The selection process takes into consideration which woman has, during the year, been promoted to the highest-level position with the greatest responsibility in Swedish business, based on the size and turnover of the company, as well as the degree of power and influence held by the female executive.​​​​

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The Ruter Dam of the Year honorary award has been presented annually since 1990. The recipient is selected by Ruter Dam’s CEO Marika Lundsten, together with the board consisting of Chair Heléne Mellquist, Anna Borg, Malin Frenning, and Honorary Member Gunilla Arhén. The selection process considers which woman during the year has been promoted to the highest position of responsibility within Swedish business, based on the company’s size, turnover, and the degree of power and influence held by the executive.​​

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