BSCC Patron Network 2024

23 January

Executive Forum Roundtable

An Executive Forum Roundtable with Guest of Honour and Speaker Sara Mazur, Director at Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Where Ms. Sara Mazur described the work of the foundation, its guiding statues and its continuous support for ‘landsgagnelig’ (nationally beneficial) research since 1917.

Two women standing side by side in an art gallery or similar setting, with a colorful abstract painting behind them and a small table with lit candles to the left.
Group of well-dressed people at a formal social gathering, holding wine glasses, in a modern, elegant interior space.
Group of people in formal attire gathering in a modern, well-lit room for a celebration, holding champagne glasses and watching a speaker.
Woman giving a presentation in a dimly lit room with a long table set with wine glasses, water glasses, small candles, and vases with colorful tulips.
Two men in suits standing together, each holding a glass of white wine, smiling at a social event in a well-lit indoor setting.

15 February

YPP Seminar 1: Individual Responsibility & Professional Development

With global competition for highly skilled talent, there exists greater executive mobility than ever before. But, while businesses are having to work harder to attract and retain the best and brightest, individual executives also have to rise to the challenge of increased workplace demands and professional competition. This session will focus on individual level responsibility and the need to compete.

At the seminar, Tom Johnstone CBE, Chair of the Board at Husqvarna Group, Wärtsilä, Combient, and Collegial, alongside Ewa Kuszelewski, Partner at Michaël Berglund Executive Search AB, shared insights on professional advancement, personal growth, and the essence of effective leadership.

We extend our gratitude to our speakers for generously sharing their expertise, and to the team at Michaël Berglund Executive Search AB for hosting us.

A special acknowledgment is also due to the Young Patrons’ whose engaging discussions contributed to the success of the evening. We look forward to reconvening in April for further discussions.

Group of people sitting around a large wooden table in a meeting or social gathering room, engaged in conversation and some looking at their phones, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and large windows in the background.
A woman giving a presentation in front of a projection screen in a classroom or conference room.
A man in business attire giving a presentation to an audience of five people in a conference room.

22 April

YPP Seminar 2: Digitalisation and Transformational Technology

Today, with advances in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing, we can expect the pace of disruption and transformation in many established markets to only accelerate. This session will focus on what we can do to come to terms with radical change and the potential for transformative business generation and renewal.

Together with Christina Qvarfordt, Head of Knowledge & Learning Europe at Linklaters, Dr. Ian Richardson, Director for Executive Education at Stockholm Business School, Stockholm University, Torgny Gunnarsson, Deputy CEO of Combient, and Adam Österman, Relationship Manager and AI Lead at Combient, we discussed the strategic importance of AI and how our future business leaders should embrace, explore and get ahead in the vast opportunities these new technologies offer to their line of businesses.

A woman with blonde hair and glasses, holding papers, is speaking during a presentation in a room with a projector and green walls.
Two men are presenting at the front of a conference room with an audience seated at tables. A slide on the screen reads 'Combient GenAI initiatives' and contains bullet points. The room has modern decor with pendant lights and curtains.
A man giving a presentation on artificial intelligence to an audience in a conference room.

15 May

Advisory Board Meeting

Advisory Board Meeting at the British Ambassador’s Residence. This year, a record number of Patron representatives attended the Advisory Board Meeting, which also was the last meeting for H.E. Ms. Judith Gough CMG in her position as British Ambassador to Sweden and Honourary Chair of the Advisory Board.

The Board meeting was in connection with the 70th Annual General Meeting, at which Mr. Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, and H.E. Ms. Judith Gough shared their reflection on the current geopolitical situation. The 70th AGM was followed by a drinks reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence.

A group of people sitting at a long, white table in a wood-paneled room, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with one woman speaking and others listening, some with drinks and laptops.
Four people in formal attire, including two men and two women, are standing and conversing on a patio near a building with a lantern-style light fixture, surrounded by green foliage and flowerpots.
A man and a woman are speaking at an event in front of an audience, standing by a table with glasses of water, in a well-lit room with large windows and cream curtains.
Group of people in formal attire standing in a bright, elegant room with large windows, ornate gold mirrors, and Persian rugs.
Audience seated in a formal room watching a presentation, with sunlight streaming through windows, vintage portraits and chandeliers decorating the background.
Three people sitting at a table in a wood-paneled room, smiling and laughing during a meeting or event.
A group of people in formal attire sitting at a conference table in a wood-paneled room, engaged in a discussion during a meeting.
A woman in a black and white patterned dress stands with hands clasped, speaking in a room with a man in a suit listening and glasses of water on the table. There is a large window with blinds and a bust sculpture on a pedestal in the background.
Three people having a conversation at a social event in a room with a grandfather clock in the background. They are dressed in business casual attire and holding drinks.
Three people engaged in conversation in a well-lit room with large windows, curtains, and a mirror on the wall.
A group of professionally dressed people standing and sitting during a formal indoor event, listening attentively, with some holding papers, in a well-lit room with large windows and ornate decor.
Three people engaged in conversation outdoors on a sunny day, with a woman holding a glass of water, a man with crossed arms, and another man listening attentively.
A group of people attending a formal event or meeting, seated indoors in front of framed photographs and a large floral arrangement, with a large painting on the wall behind them.
An older man in a suit and glasses standing at a table, speaking to an audience in a well-lit room with large windows, curtains, and a mirror with a flower arrangement in the background.
A woman in a black blazer holding a smartphone, standing amidst seated people, smiling and listening in a formal indoor setting, with another woman visible in the background near the open door.
A woman in a red dress giving a presentation in front of an audience in a room with large windows and framed photographs on the wall.
A woman with gray hair is speaking during a meeting or conference, surrounded by seated and standing people in a formal room with white walls and a large painting in the background.
Two men in suits at a social event, one with glasses and light hair smiling with his eyes closed, the other with a beard and short hair looking down at a glass of wine.
A person in a white shirt holding a tray of sushi rolls and salmon slices at an event, with other guests in the background near a glass door.
A group of professionally dressed people, including men in suits and women, attending an indoor social event. One man is speaking to the group, holding a glass of white wine, while others hold glasses of wine or champagne. The room features ornate cu
Group of five adults, four men and one woman, engaged in conversation while holding glasses of white wine in a room with large windows and elegant curtains.
Four adults having a conversation in an elegant indoor setting, with two women holding glasses of wine, one woman in a pink blazer, and a man in a blue suit, during a social event.
A table set with various desserts, cups, and plates, including cookies, cupcakes, a pie, and teapots.

12 June

Extended Executive Forum

On 12 June, The BSCC and AmCham Sweden welcomed members to an Extended Executive Forum with guests of honour H.E. Ms. Judith Gough, UK Ambassador to Sweden and H.E. Erik D. Ramanathan, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden.

The Forum addressed the importance of fostering robust international partnerships, with a particular focus on bilateral relations and business landscapes.

A man in a suit and glasses giving a presentation in a conference room, with a projection screen behind him displaying a chart and text.
People standing in line at a buffet table with drinks, flowers, and appetizers at a social gathering or event.
A woman giving a presentation at a conference with a slide titled 'Strengthening Ties in Times of Conflict & Economic Uncertainty.' Audience members sit and listen, with some taking notes. There are two round tables with white tablecloths and water b
Two men in suits speaking at a conference, standing behind round tables with water bottles and glasses, with a woman in the foreground listening, and presentation slides on screens in the background.
A woman standing at a table on a stage, clapping her hands, with a presentation slide behind her that reads 'Strengthening Ties in Times of Conflict & Economic Uncertainty.' There are three tables with water and flowers, and a small audience is seate
Businesspeople socializing at a professional networking event, holding wine glasses in a modern, well-lit venue.
A man in a suit and glasses stands in front of a presentation screen, and a woman in a white blouse stands behind a table with a microphone and glasses of water, in a conference room with dark curtains and a large screen displaying text.

4 September

YPP Seminar 3: Global Business & Sustainability

Most multinational corporations integrate sustainability principles in their governance frameworks, and many invest significantly more than is required for the purposes of straightforward reputation management. The reason, aside from simply “doing good”, is simple: Increasing numbers of businesses are discovering that sustainability can also be very good for business.

We had the pleasure of hosting our third Young Patron Programme (YPP) seminar of the year, focusing on Global Business and Sustainability. The YPP seminars provide emerging managerial talents from our patron members the unique opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and learn from seasoned professionals across various sectors and industries.

This time, we were warmly welcomed by our member organisation, Ethos, at their headquarters, where we engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on sustainable business practices. Malin Speace, CEO and founder of Ethos, shared valuable insights into the foundations of sustainability and the upcoming European regulation on sustainability reporting, CSRD.

Following this, Annika Ramsköld , Vice President of Corporate Sustainability at our patron member Vattenfall, outlined the significant strides Vattenfall has made towards greater sustainability in recent decades. She also emphasised the critical role of partnerships, collaboration, and ‘walking the talk’ in future-proofing businesses and creating a better world, addressing issues related to the environment, social concerns, and governance.The Forum addressed the importance of fostering robust international partnerships, with a particular focus on bilateral relations and business landscapes.

Group of people socializing at a party in a well-decorated living room, with some holding drinks and engaging in conversation.
A woman giving a presentation at a Business & Sustainability event organized by the British Swedish Chamber of Commerce, with a slide showing logos of various sponsors projected behind her.
A woman in a white blouse stands at the front of a meeting room speaking to a group of seated professionals who are listening attentively. The room has wooden floors, a large central table, and modern decor.
A woman giving a presentation in a room with a large screen displaying information about sustainability in Vattenfall. The woman is standing next to a table with a champagne glass and a glass of water, and a laptop on a small table behind her.
A business meeting or presentation in a conference room with a group of people sitting around a table, two women standing near a projection screen displaying a slide about sustainability and European directives, a large potted plant in the foreground

3 October

YPP Seminar 4: Strategies in Uncertain Times

As markets become more dynamic, and disruptive entrants destabilize once impregnable industries, many of the strategic orthodoxies that have guided managers in the past, are being called into question today. How can managers respond to the reality of global complexity and uncertainty and, simultaneously, deliver clarity and meaningful control.

We held the final seminar of our annual Young Patrons Programme, Strategies in Uncertain Times hosted by Eversheds Sutherland. Michael Bahar, Partner at Eversheds and Captain in the US Navy JAG Corps Reserves, delivered an inspiring talk. Bahar, who also served as the negotiation lawyer in US-Taliban peace talks, shared gripping stories from his military career, offering valuable insights into strategy and planning. He stressed the importance of focusing on what you can control, i.e “controlling your three feet”, and highlighted that while plans often fall apart, the process of planning prepares you for various scenarios. He also encouraged the Young Patrons to speak up and ensure respect in interactions, whether with colleagues or adversaries.

Following this, Ian Richardson, Director of Executive Education at Stockholm University, led a session on Strategy in Complex Markets and Uncertain Times. He discussed how organisational flexibility is key to thriving in uncertain times, using Amazon’s pandemic response as a case study. In new and uncertain situations, such as a pandemic, businesses are prepared to different extents and respond in different ways. The way you structure your business makes it more or less resilient in uncertain times and the flexibility of your organisation becomes an essential piece in surviving. Our Young Patrons analysed Amazon’s ability to swiftly adapt to shifts in demand and exploit new opportunities which led to great discussions.

A professional presentation taking place in a modern conference room with attendees seated at tables, listening to a speaker in a suit gesturing as he talks.
A man in a black suit and white shirt is giving a presentation about 12 megatrends. He is pointing at a large screen displaying icons and text, including trends like gender shift, knowledge culture, connectivity, and neo-ecology.
People sitting at tables in a modern restaurant or cafe, engaged in conversations, with a bar and kitchen area in the background.
Business meeting with attendees watching a presentation on a large screen, with a man speaking remotely via video conference.

27 November

Annual Patrons’ Dinner

On 27 November, we had the pleasure of welcoming our Patrons to the Annual Patrons’ Dinner, this year at Täcka Udden on Djurgården.

Three people in formal attire standing outdoors at night with city lights and a river in the background.
A woman and a man in formal attire holding champagne glasses at night with a city skyline and body of water in the background.
Three men in suits standing outdoors at night, holding glasses of champagne, with a city skyline and a river in the background.
Three people in formal attire standing outdoors at night near water, with city lights and a large tree in the background, holding drinks and ticket papers.
Three individuals posing outdoors at night with a river and cityscape in the background.
Three adults dressed in formal attire holding glasses of champagne during an evening outdoor gathering, with a cityscape, water, and a large leafless tree in the background.
Group of five people dressed in formal attire standing outdoors at night, with a city skyline and river in the background.
Three people at night holding champagne glasses by a river with a city skyline and lit buildings in the background.
Three adults in formal attire posing outdoors at night, holding glasses of champagne, with a river, trees, and city lights in the background.

27-28 November

YPP: Swedish British Summit 2024 in London

During the last week of November, members of the BSCC Young Patrons had the privilege of attending the British Swedish Summit 2024 in London. This summit offered a thought-provoking and contemporary exploration of leadership, bringing together an inspiring assembly of business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from both Sweden and the UK.

Business meeting or conference in a modern office, with four people watching presentation on a screen, with food and drinks on the table, large windows revealing historic buildings outside.
Group of people in formal attire standing on church stairs with stained glass window in the background.
Business meeting in a conference room with six people, one man speaking at the front and five listening, wine bottles and glasses on the table.
Group of four people in formal business attire at a networking event, standing around a table with glasses of champagne and event materials.
Audience seated in a theater to watch a presentation or performance, with some people looking at their phones and others watching attentively.
Three individuals on a stage participating in a discussion. A woman on the left stands behind a high table with water bottles and glasses, looking at two men. The man in the middle is speaking, while the man on the right is standing with a water bott

4 December

Advisory Board Meeting

Advisory Board Meeting at the British Ambassador’s Residence. This year’s meeting marked the end of a remarkable year, highlighted by Jubilee celebrations, which also was the first meeting for H.E. Ms. Samantha Job CMG in her position as British Ambassador to Sweden and Honourary Chair of the Advisory Board. The Board meeting was in connection with the Annual Christmas Drinks Reception and Award Ceremony, at which Carl-Henric Svanberg was announced as the recipient of the BSCC Annual Award 2024, in recognition of his pivotal role in strengthening economic ties and driving cross-border innovation. The evening also featured the Jubilee Raffle, with prizes generously contributed by Polestar and Grand Hotel.

A formal meeting or dinner with multiple people seated around a long table in an elegant wood-paneled room with a chandelier, candles, and framed paintings.
An indoor social gathering in an elegant room with cream-colored walls and large windows with draped curtains. A man in a dark suit and red tie stands behind a round table with a floral arrangement and a glass of champagne. Two women, one on each sid
A formal meeting with two men in suits and a woman sitting at a table in a wood-paneled room with candles and a British flag.
Two women standing next to a white car on a cobblestone street at night, with a large house and dark cloudy sky in the background.
A woman giving a speech at a Christmas gathering in a decorated room with a Christmas tree, chandelier, and portrait paintings, as guests listen.
People gathered at a Christmas party with a decorated Christmas tree in the foreground and a cozy living room in the background.