Rovio has announced that CEO Mikael Hed will be leaving the firm after spending more than 5 years at the helm.

During his tenure Hed turned Angry Birds into a mobile behemoth, ensuring Rovio would become one of the industry's key players.

Hed will pass the hoodie to Pekka Rantala, a man with over 20 years of industy experience under his belt, on January 1, 2015

New dawn

Hed, who has also been appointed Chairman of Rovio Animation Studios, believes that Rantala has the credentials to take the company to the next level.

"It has been an amazing ride and in the coming months I will be very happy to pass the hoodie to Pekka Rantala, who will take Rovio to the next level,” explained Hed.

“Pekka is known to be a great leader with experience building successful global consumer brands. I will continue to play an active role and will support Pekka in any way I can to ensure Rovio’s continued success.”