On June 5, Partinc, Patron Member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, proudly hosted the Chamber’s first Tech Table of the year: the M&A Forum.
Moderated by Kerstin Brodin, Innovation Manager at nlmtd, the event brought together thought leaders and experts to explore the current and future state of the European investment landscape, with a focus on M&A, software, cloud infrastructure, and growth equity.
A special thank you to our brilliant speakers:
- Jan Sundelin, Partner at Partinc, compared the M&A landscape in Europe and the U.S., noting a narrowing gap outside of U.S. mega-cap SaaS companies. He also highlighted persistent challenges around regulation and exit environments.
- Björn Håkansson, Business Development Manager at TNO, spoke on Europe’s push for cloud sovereignty, emphasising initiatives like IPCEI-CIS and Gaia-X, and the strategic importance of reducing reliance on U.S. tech infrastructure.
- Ivy Chen, Private Equity Practice Lead at Software Improvement Group, shared insights on software due diligence, AI readiness, and the hidden risks in tech investments, stressing the need for a business-aligned, data-driven approach.
- Sam Myhrman, Private Market Advisor (Nordics), highlighted Sweden’s rise as a hub for innovation, driven by a strong equity culture, robust policy support, and standout companies in AI and legal tech.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the evening’s engaging dialogue. These conversations are key to driving real progress.
This Swedish Chamber Tech M&A Tech Forum was sponsored by:
On May 28, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce held its 65th Anniversary hosted by Patron Member AKD, in their beautiful Amsterdam office, followed by the presentation of the Business Climate Survey 2025.
We would like to give a warm welcome to our new Board Members:
Mr. Ashkan Danaei, Sales Director, Tetra Pak Benelux
Mr. Ellis-Jan van den Hout, Managing Director, SKF Netherlands
Ms. Cindy Kroon, Chief Commercial Officer, Vattenfall Netherlands
Mr. Wiebe Schmitz, Country Manager, Saab Netherlands
Mr. Peter Magnusson, Managing Director, Scania Production Zwolle B.V.
We are also very proud to welcome Mr. Erik Thulin, Stena Line, for his second term.
Together with the current Board Members, they constitute the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce as of May 28, 2025.
Mr. Bert Heikens, AKD
Mr. Eugene Grüter, Sweco
Mr. Fatih Noyan, Ericsson
Mr. Jan Sundelin, Partinc
Mr. Lawrence Masle, UP THERE, EVERYWHERE
Mr. Roland van Pooij, Handelsbanken
Ms. Kerstin Rolf Gerlagh, Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Armanda Willems, Lime Technology
At the Annual General Meeting, the Chairperson, Jan Sundelin, took the opportunity to thank the following retiring Board Members for their invaluable contribution and commitment to the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce during their terms:
Mr. Herrik van der Gaag, Volvo Cars Netherlands, Ms. Ruth de Jager, Storytel, Mr. Wilko Klaassen, Klarna, Mr. Martijn Hagens, Vattenfall, Mr. Jan Terlouw, Saab Netherlands, Mr. Roderik Friend, Tetra Pak, Mr. Mark Verbakel, SKF, Ms. Carola Hoekstra, Stromma
Following the announcement by H.E. Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Johannes Oljelund, that his term in the Netherlands will conclude this summer, Chairperson Jan Sundelin expressed a heartfelt appreciation to the Ambassador, on behalf of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for his dedicated service as Honorary Chairperson, as well as for his invaluable support and generous collaboration throughout his tenure.
At the Annual General Meeting, the Annual Report 2025 was presented. We extend our gratitude to Nordholm Communication for their excellent collaboration on the design and layout. Our sincere thanks also go to the sponsors of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Annual Review 2024:
Volvo Cars Netherlands, KPMG Meijburg & Co, Handelsbanken, Earth, Tetra Pak, and SKF.
Discover the full Annual Review by clicking here!
Order your hard copy by sending an email to info@swedishchamer.nl with your company name, name, and postal address.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and the Business Climate Survey 2025 was generously hosted by Swedish Chamber Patron Member:
Photo credits: Hanne Hansen Photography
On May 28, 2025, Team Sweden proudly presented the Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025 in a collaborative effort between the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. The event took place in the presence of H.E. Mr. Johannes Oljelund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Netherlands, and Ms. Camilla Mellander, Director General for Trade at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
This year’s survey revealed a business confidence rate of 55%, a figure that reflects both opportunities and challenges for Swedish companies operating in the Dutch market. We look forward to further analysis and comparison during the upcoming global presentation later this month.
Following the opening remarks by Carlos Pita Cao, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Johannes Oljelund formally inaugurated the session. Ms. Camilla Mellander then delivered an insightful keynote presentation, highlighting key trade priorities and the broader geopolitical context.
The survey findings were jointly presented by Ms. Malin Alders from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Alice Frykhammar of Team Sweden. Their presentation offered valuable insights into how Swedish enterprises are navigating the Dutch business landscape. A dynamic panel discussion, including Mr. Douwe Dirks of NORNORM, Ms. Ruth de Jager of Storytel, Mr. Hans Vos of FlexLink, and Mr. Cees Westera of Public Matters, moderated by Mr. Tomas Korseman of Business Sweden, followed, exploring the practical implications of the survey results.
Addressing the evolving international trade environment, Ms. Mellander remarked:
“As protectionist winds blow from our very important trade partner, the United States, free trade is more important than ever. We must stand united within the EU, focusing on proportional, targeted, and mutually beneficial arrangements.”
We extend our sincere thanks to Business Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden in The Hague for the collaboration, as well as to AKD for generously hosting the event at their stunning Amsterdam office. We are also deeply grateful to all participants and the many companies that contributed by completing the survey, making this year’s report possible.
The Business Climate Survey Netherlands 2025 is available here
Photo Credit: Hanne Hansen Photography
Team Sweden
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and the Business Climate Survey 2025 were generously hosted by Swedish Chamber Patron Member:
On May 22, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands hosted a breakfast session with Volvo at The Dutch Golf Club. The event focused on how Volvo is navigating big changes in the car industry, including new rules, world events, and growing competition.
Opening Remarks
Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director of Volvo Car Netherlands and Volvo Car Germany, opened the event by reminding everyone that real character is shown when no one is watching. He encouraged everyone to “keep on paddling” and not lose sight of what matters.
Volvo’s Story and Vision
Arthur van Es, Consumer Experience Director, spoke about Volvo’s strong focus on people and safety—calling Volvo “the safest car on the planet.”
Product Story
Robert explained that Volvo aims to make car collisions as rare as possible and that Volvo is proud of its Swedish roots and wants to stand out, not just be “lagom”.
Introducing the Volvo ES90: For a Life in Balance
Merel van de Fliert gave everyone a first look at the new, fully electric Volvo ES90. The ES90’s slogan, “For a life in balance,” captures its design philosophy: a modern, safe, and sustainable car inspired by yacht design and Swedish simplicity. The ES90 offers a long electric range, fast charging, and a spacious, practical interior—making it ideal for people who value both style and responsibility.
Networking
After the presentations, guests enjoyed breakfast together and had the chance to see the ES90 up close.
Conclusion
The session highlighted how Volvo is staying true to its values of safety, sustainability, and Swedish design, even as the car industry changes quickly. The new ES90 is a perfect example of Volvo’s vision for the future—a car designed “for a life in balance.”
Thank you to Volvo and all attendees for a great morning!
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue: The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam, NL
“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Personal and Professional Branding”
This time, we were excited to welcome keynote speaker Swati Narwal, who led us through an engaging and interactive session. Through group discussions and self-reflective exercises, we explored how to:
- Identify and articulate our unique value
- Align our personal values with our professional identity
- Build authentic connections that reflect who we truly are
- Understand how our brand influences the opportunities we attract
During this session we also welcomed Mentorship Program Alumni. Looking ahead, we’re excited to extend an open invitation to all alumni for future keynote lectures. We warmly welcome you to join these inspiring presentations and discussions. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
September 18: Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Cole Groom, Co-Founder of Balance Breathing
Keynote Speaker: Swati Narwal,
Organisational Design & Development Leader IKEA
About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Edge Olympic,
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrate its 65th anniversary in the Netherlands. For over six decades, the Chamber has served as a vibrant platform for networking, promoting business exchange, and strengthening the bond between Sweden and the Netherlands.
To celebrate this amazing milestone, we are delighted to invite our members to a Swedish fika at the Chamber’s office, located at Edge Olympic in Amsterdam. Join us for fika with Swedish treats and warm conversations with fellow members and the Chamber team.
Whether you can stay for a brief moment or linger a bit longer, we look forward to celebrating this special occasion together with you.
You will also have the opportunity to win a Cocktail cruise for two persons and a Pizza cruise for two persons, generously offered by Stromma!
Date: May 9, 2025
Time: 14.00 (CET)
Venue: Online
Dear Members of the Swedish Chambers across Europe,
Have you ever wondered who the other members of the Swedish Chambers in Europe are? In today’s rapidly changing world, fostering strong European connections is more important than ever. On May 9th, you have the opportunity to connect virtually with fellow members of the SCI network as we come together to celebrate International Europe Day!
And what better way to honour unity, friendship, and collaboration than by embracing a cherished Swedish tradition – fika?
What to Expect:
- Virtual Fika Gathering: Join us online for an engaging and interactive fika session, where you’ll have the chance to network and connect with fellow members from Swedish Chambers across Europe.
- Fika Box Delivered to Your Door: To make this experience even more special, all participants who register will receive a fika box filled with Swedish treats—delivered straight to your doorstep, whether you’re in Lisbon, Berlin, or Stockholm!
Please note: The number of fika boxes is limited. Register early to secure yours—availability is on a first-come, first-served basis!
Sign-Up Deadline: To receive a fika box, please register by April 15. Spontaneous registrations are welcome until May 9, and all members are invited to join the virtual fika session.
Let’s come together to celebrate Europe Day, strengthen our cross-European connections, and enjoy the warmth of fika—because nothing brings people together like good conversation and a cup of coffee (or tea!).
We look forward to seeing you there
To register, press here!
Photo Credits: Lieselotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue:The Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Fred. Roeskestraat 115
1076 EE Amsterdam
“Mastering Leadership for the Future –Sustainable Leadership”
Welcome to the second session of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program on April 24, 2025. The theme of this session is Sustainable Leadership, with the speaker Gabriele Hamm Adler. This dynamic session will not just be a talk—it will be an interactive experience, inviting the audience to participate actively in thought-provoking discussions and practical exercises. Together, we will explore how leaders can foster sustainable growth, adaptability, and a thriving organisational culture in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership:
Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
Program
18.30 Arrival, welcome drinks, and light refreshments
18.45 Welcome by Hendrik Jan Guitink, Mentorship Program Coach and Managing Partner AIMS International Netherlands B.V.
19:00 Arrival and welcome for Mentorship Program Alumni
19.15 Insightful Session on Sustainable Leadership – Gabriele Hamm Adler, Owner GHA Development – Growth for People & Business
20.30 Drinks and Discussions
21.00 End of Meeting
Alumni Members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program
This session is open for alumni members of the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Program, with their participation beginning at 19:00.
Alumni are kindly asked to register using the guest registration form below.
About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here
