Talkpool launches "Next Generation Leadership Plan" to drive growth through 2030

Building on the achievement of repaying EUR 7 million in loans during the stabilization period 2021-2024, Talkpool is now accelerating growth toward 2030 with a target of 17% annual growth. Following 10% organic growth in the first half of 2025, the company is launching the Next Generation Leadership Plan — a strategic program designed to identify, develop, and empower leaders who will drive continued expansion.

Strategic Rationale

To achieve high sustained organic growth, Talkpool is strengthening its leadership capacity across Talkpool’s key operations in North America, Europe and Asia. The Next Generation Leadership Plan addresses three critical needs:

1. Building the leadership bench strength to enhance business operations.
2. Ensuring seamless generational transition while maintaining strategic continuity.
3. Enhancing alignment between management and shareholder interests through meaningful equity participation, without diluting existing shareholders.

Two-Step Leadership Framework

1. Next Generation Leaders (implementation in Q4 2025)

High-performing employees meeting specific criteria — including demonstrated sales excellence, strategic thinking, and cultural fit — will be selected to join the Next Generation Leadership Program. These rising leaders will enter a structured development journey combining leadership training, executive mentorship, and responsibility for strategic growth initiatives across the Talkpool group.

The program primarily targets high-potential talents typically with 5-10 years of experience. To build diverse leadership that reflects Talkpool's global markets, the company is actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups and ensuring geographic balance, with no more than half of participants from any single market.

1. Executive Committee (implementation in 2026)

The most successful Next Generation Leaders will join Talkpool's existing executive directors Erik Strömstedt and Magnus Sparrholm on the company's Executive Committee. This expanded leadership body will strengthen governance, enable more agile decision-making across regions, and accelerate execution of major growth initiatives. Each Executive Committee member will hold meaningful ownership in Talkpool through the company's share option program, reinforcing long-term commitment and shared value creation with shareholders.

Expected Business Impact

The Next Generation Leadership Plan is designed to deliver measurable results:

• Enhanced innovation: Faster integration of emerging technologies and new business models into customer solutions"
• Faster market entry: Accelerated expansion into new customer segments and markets.
• Improved execution: Enhanced delivery on major contracts and strategic projects.
• Stronger customer relationships: Deeper engagement and higher satisfaction across key accounts.

Program participants will be evaluated against these specific performance metrics, ensuring accountability and alignment with Talkpool's profitable growth objectives.

Program Timeline

The first Next Generation Leaders have been pre-selected and are scheduled for appointment in 2025. After an initial development phase, they will take on challenging new assignments supported by executive mentoring and a structured growth framework.

Share Option Program

In 2024, Talkpool launched a share option scheme for top-performing employees, covering up to two million Talkpool shares through 2031. Importantly, this program does not dilute existing shareholders.

The initial pilot program (March 2024 – mid-2025) was offered as additional compensation. Going forward, the next three option rounds will be directed partially to Next Generation Leaders as a core component of their total remuneration package, balancing competitive pay with long-term equity incentives.

All Next Generation Leaders and Executive Committee members will be required to build a shareholding in Talkpool, ensuring sustained commitment to long-term value creation.

"This program represents our commitment to building Talkpool's future from within," says Magnus Sparrholm.

Talkpool is a leading telecommunications network services provider operating globally with extensive experience in network planning, fibre deployment, and innovative technology-enabled value-added services. Listed on Nasdaq First North (TALK) and Deutsche Börse (TLKP), the Company serves major telecommunications operators and enterprises across multiple continents. Certified Advisor: G&W Fondkommission

For more information www.talkpool.com

For more information, please contact: magnus.sparrholm@talkpool.com +41 81 250 20 20

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