- Linköping Institute of Technology
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Under his leadership, Kindred expanded throughout the US. The company recently partnered with the Swinomish Tribe in Washington State.
The initial agreement will last for six years. There is an option for a five-year renewal once the first phase of the deal is complete.
During October 2021, Tjärnström led the company as it completed its acquisition of Relax Gaming, a transition that began earlier that summer.
He said regarding the purchase agreement: "Through this acquisition we add a rapidly growing and profitable B2B business with a world-class product portfolio, giving us greater control over our casino, poker and bingo offering, putting Kindred in a significantly better position to achieve our long-term strategy to increase our focus on product differentiation and customer experience.”
The company has also formed strategic partnerships with sports leagues during Tjärnström’s tenure. Kindred recently signed a multi-year agreement with the National Hockey League to expand its presence in Sweden. The company currently represents the NHL as an official partner through its flagship Unibet brand.
EMPLOYMENT
Tjärnström first joined Kindred in 2008 when the company was known as Unibet Group. He had served as a member of the group’s Board of Directors as a Non-executive Director since 2003. Five years later, the board appointed him as the company’s Chief Financial Officer.
In 2010, he stepped into his current role as CEO.
Prior to joining Kindred, Tjärnström worked for Skanska Infrastructure Development AB from 2001 to 2008 as the group’s Senior Financial Manager.
PRODUCTS LAUNCHED
After joining Kindred, Tjärnström oversaw the Unibet sportsbook, which is now live in several US states.
“I am very pleased with the Board of Directors’ choice of Nils Andén as the Interim CEO, guaranteeing a smooth handover." Henrik Tjärnström
Interviews and public speeches
Tjärnström featured in Gambling Insider's January/February 2020 edition of the magazine, participating in our CEO Special feature.
Here, he spoke about his time at Skanska, his move to Unibet and becoming its CFO as well as how Swedish culture set him on a path for a job in the gaming industry.
When Tjärnström resigned from his role as Kindred CEO after almost 13 years, Evert Carlsson, Kindred Chairman, said Tjärnstrom has "undoubtedly put his mark on both the history of the company and the industry."
