Past events

“From industrial titans like SKF and Atlas Copco to life science leaders like Astra Zeneca and Getinge, and tech innovators like Spotify and Klarna, the Netherlands is a home away from home for a diverse range of Swedish companies. This 2024 Business Climate Survey, conducted amidst shifting economic and political winds, aims to capture Swedish business leaders’ viewpoints, experiences, and insights in the Netherlands.” – Business Climate Survey for Swedish companies in the Netherlands 2024.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands, in collaboration with Business Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden, was very pleased to organize the unveiling of the results of the Business Climate Survey in the Netherlands 2024, hosted by Handelsbanken Netherlands.

The inspiring event featured a keynote speech by Per-Arne Hjelmborn, Director-General for Trade at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized the survey’s importance in understanding the opportunities and challenges for companies looking to expand into the Netherlands. Additionally, Per-Arne provided insights into the hurdles and opportunities within the European market, highlighting the crucial role of innovation and technology in addressing future challenges. He concluded with a call to action: “Collaborate, innovate, and create a resilient business climate together.”

Hanna Bräcknell, Management Trainee at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, gave a brief presentation of the survey data collection, followed by a presentation by Saga Sjöberg, an intern at Business Sweden, highlighting key results from the Dutch report. The insightful reflections of the panellists further engaged the participants:

 

Johan Uhlin, Managing Director of Scania Production Zwolle B.V. and Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands; Armanda Willems, Country Manager at Lime Technologies;
Ashkan Danaei, Key Account Director at Tetra Pak;
Michael Vallon, Head of Financial Control DACH/BNL at Getinge.

 

The panel discussion, moderated by Tomas Korseman, Trade Commissioner of Sweden to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and Area Manager of Business Sweden – The Swedish Trade & Invest Council for the Benelux Countries, covered topics such as regulatory changes, the Swedish brand, the challenges faced by the companies, and trade barriers recognised by Swedish companies in the Dutch market.

Ashkan Danaei, who is also part of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Committee, stated:

“Tetra Pak is a premium brand because of the Swedish brand and the Swedish heritage. Being a Swedish company, I see it as a possibility to be a front-runner. Sustainability comes with the Swedish brand and the Swedish heritage.”

Tomas Korseman and Johan Uhlin concluded the event by highlighting the importance of using the survey results year-over-year to identify short-term issues and long-term trends.

The Swedish Chamber would like to warmly thank Per-Arne Hjelmborn for his inspiring speech, the panellists’ engaging discussion, and Roland van Pooij, CEO of Handelsbanken Nederland, for hosting this important event.

We also thank everyone who participated in the event and contributed to the survey. You are welcome to read the Business climate survey here.

 

ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE SURVEY

The Business Climate Survey provides valuable insights into economic development, success drivers, local conditions, trade obstacles, and sustainability challenges encountered by Swedish-affiliated companies in the Netherlands.

 

Click here to download the Business Climate Survey 2024

 

This year’s survey has been conducted across over 20 countries worldwide, further enhancing its global significance and relevance.

Find more information about the previous Business Climate Surveys here.

 

The event is a collaboration between

        

 

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Photo credits: Salar Ashari

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce was very proud to welcome business executives, entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from both Sweden and the Netherlands to the Executive Sustainability Breakfast on May 30, 2024, at the beautiful residence of H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund in The Hague.

This exclusive event featured the inspiring speech “IKEA: taking action to pave the way for another 80 years” by Pär Stenmark, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group, who presented IKEA’s comprehensive sustainability strategy aimed at transforming the company into a circular business, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting a fair and equal society.

Participants engaged in open dialogue on sustainable business practices, corporate social responsibility, and environmental leadership while enjoying a wonderful breakfast prepared by the residency. The meeting provided a supportive environment for learning and innovation, fostering new ideas and partnerships.

The Swedish Chamber would like to warmly thank H.E Ambassador of Sweden Mr. Johannes Oljelund for his hospitality and the lovely breakfast and Pär Stenmark for sharing his expertise on sustainability. We look forward to the continuous active conversation on sustainability with the Swedish Chamber network!

 

Want to learn more?

Click here to download IKEA’s Climate Report FY2023

Click here to download IKEA’s Sustainability Report FY2023

 

Keynote Speaker:
Pär Stenmark, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group

‘IKEA : taking action to pave the way for another 80 years’

Pär Stenmark is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group – covering the IKEA product and food range, supply, production and franchising. In his role, he leads the global IKEA sustainability strategy, which includes transitioning IKEA into a circular business, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, regenerating resources, protecting ecosystems, improving biodiversity, creating a fair and equal society and enabling healthy and sustainable living.

 

About the Annual Swedish Chamber Sustainability Breakfast

Each year, the Sustainability Breakfast serves as an essential forum for networking and collaboration. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of leaders, including entrepreneurs, politicians, and academics from both Sweden and the Netherlands. This blend of perspectives fosters a rich dialogue, driving forward-thinking solutions and partnerships in the realm of sustainability.

Participants can look forward to engaging discussions, informative presentations, and the chance to deepen their understanding of sustainability challenges and innovations. Whether you’re looking to forge new business connections or gain fresh insights into sustainable practices, the Swedish Chamber Annual Sustainability Breakfast promises to be an invaluable experience.

 

The event is a collaboration between:

 

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Moving beyond the WHY, this is HOW

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Swedish Chamber’s insightful Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast, hosted by KPMG Meijburg & Co. at its stunning Amstelveen headquarters.

“What matters needs to be measured,” said keynote speaker Ingrid Tappin, Founder and CEO of Diverse Leaders in Tech, as she explained the importance of collecting data in an organisation to move forward with a diversity and inclusion strategy. Ingrid also led an interactive workshop with table discussions to exchange knowledge on the topics.

Another highlight was hearing from Montae & Partners, where Victor Steenbakker, Senior Consultant Commercial Lead and Anne Smits, Reward Specialist, shared their work about the Gender and Equal Pay Gap. It was also very insightful to hear Marco Frikkee, Partner Sustainability Reporting at KPMG Nederland, give a presentation on sustainability reporting. We also thank Armanda Willems from Lime Technologies for the excellent moderating!

Thank you to KPMG Meijburg & Co. and Jan Hollemans for hosting this impactful event!

 

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER:
Ingrid Tappin

Founder and CEO of Diverse Leaders in Tech

“I believe that every individual has a part to play in shaping the future. Whether it’s in the workplace or in society at large, we all have a responsibility and a right to use our talents for good. It’s not enough to simply recognise the need for change; we must also take action to make it happen.”

Photo Credits: Fred Tigelaar

 

 

SPEAKERS:

• Victor Steenbakker, Senior Consultant Commercial Lead at Montae & Partners
• Anne Smits, Reward Specialist at Montae & Partners
• Marco Frikkee, Partner Sustainability Reporting at KPMG Nederland
• Moderator: Armanda Willems, Country Manager at Lime Technologies the Netherlands

DOING DEI RIGHT IS CRUCIAL FOR…

…Attracting and retaining the best talent

…Leading high-performing teams

…Creativity, innovation and problem-solving

…Scaling products to new markets

…Complying to new ESG regulations

…Developing responsible technology like AI

And so much more!

 

But DEI is not easy. Let’s be honest, DEI is hard work and comes with more complexity than most business capabilities do. And it is with that business lens, that Ingrid Tappin will shed light on how leaders can deal with these complexities and will offer a framework that can help companies amplify their DEI efforts and reap the benefits.

 

DOE THE DIVERSE LEADERS IN TECH: DEI-SCAN HERE:

 

Please complete this innovative pre-event survey to DEI-Scan your business and ensure a fruitful session.

• It will take less than 15 minutes
• It gives insights into what DEI areas make a real business impact
• Participants will receive their personalized results and action points

 

ABOUT DIVERSE LEADERS IN TECH

Spinning out of Techleap, Diverse Leaders in Tech is officially an independent social impact venture. With Constantijn van Oranje and Gillian Tans as founding partners, Diverse Leaders in Tech continues its mission to set the standard for DEI Excellence in European Tech. The DEI-Scan is a practical way of making this happen. We have taken care of any privacy concerns you may have. Find more information here.

 

The event is powered by

 

ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER DIVERSITY & INCLUSION BREAKFASTS
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce, together with its Diversity & Inclusion Committee, aim to provide a series of Diversity & Inclusion Breakfasts to discuss strategies with a focus on new perspectives of D&I, share real cases and research, and support you with concrete tools to increase and develop D&I within your organization. For more information about the Swedish Chamber of Commerce D&I Program and the D&I Committee, here or send an email to events@swedishchamber.nl

 

ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER TECH TABLES

Tech Tables is a platform for Swedish-Dutch tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to meet, learn, and discuss. At the Swedish Chamber Tech Tables, we aim to celebrate the latest in technology and discuss the latest trends, whether artificial intelligence, blockchain, or virtual reality. Click here to learn more about the Swedish Chamber Tech Tables series, or email events@swedishchamber.nl to hear more.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who participated in the interactive presentation on “Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance” as part of the Swedish Chamber and Young Professionals Mentorship Program 2024!

 

Our heartfelt thanks go to our esteemed keynote speakers, Kristina Zumpolle, founder and leadership coach at Zumflow, and Jasmijn de Smit, leadership coach at Zumflow. Their insightful thoughts on mindfulness and the work-life blend were invaluable. During the session, we were provided with tools to reflect on our energy levels, beliefs, and goals in order to navigate the complexities of modern professional life. We are also very happy that Kristina and Jasmijn involve the participants in a joyful dance moment!

 

We are immensely grateful to all participants for your active engagement and thoughtful contributions to the discussion. Your enthusiasm and commitment to personal and professional growth inspire us all. Last but not least, a warm thank you to AIMS International Netherlands for their valued collaboration. The Swedish Chamber is proud to facilitate these crucial discussions on mindfulness and work-life balance.

 

Speakers: Kristina Zumpolle & Jasmijn de Smit

Kristina Zumpolle, Founder, Executive coach, Facilitator is a no nonsense coach. Workshop leader and facilitator. Kristina is a vibrant, positive and “a glass half full” kind of coach. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she works constantly to better herself so she can support her clients’ personal growth and of those around her. Kristina has worked successfully with executives and teams across a variety of industries and countries. Her broad cultural and professional experiences have shaped her expansive and innovative coaching style. Kristina views each client as a beginning success and makes it her work to help them see their own potential.

 

 

Jasmijn de Smit, Executive coach, Facilitator from Zumflow

With her extensive experience in leading teams in corporates and medium-sized companies and her
background in technology, consulting and healthcare management on three continents, Jasmijn is able to quickly recognize patterns, challenges and development points and translate these into tailor-made solutions, both for teams as well as for individuals.  Jasmijn is an experienced coach and trainer who works empathetically and decisively, is not afraid to ask questions until the core is exposed, confronts lovingly and connects with where her clients are at that moment. She knows how to create a safe atmosphere while she lures them out of their comfort zone and inspires them step by step to become the best version of themselves.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Sustainable Leadership”

 

On April 18, 2024, the Swedish Chamber and Young Professionals hosted an enriching session on Sustainable Leadership as part of the Mentorship Program 2024, featuring leadership coach Niels Thijssen. With engaging insights drawn from his personal journey, including his experiences coaching Belgium’s elite hockey team, Niels Thijssen delivered a captivating presentation emphasizing the importance of connecting with oneself, the team, and the broader world to cultivate sustainable leadership.

Inspirational and thought-provoking, Thijssen challenged attendees to confront doubts and embrace failure as a pathway to growth and success. Central to his message was the notion of remaining authentic amidst the pressures of leadership.

 

“People try to limits the risks before trying. Instead, we need to be comfortable with failing forward”

– Niels Thijssen, Professional Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Author

 

The event fostered lively interaction among participants, sparking meaningful dialogues on self-awareness, transitioning from proving to improving, and nurturing a curious mindset. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Niels for generously sharing his expertise and personal anecdotes, to all attendees for their active participation, and to AIMS International for their valued collaborations. The Swedish Chamber takes is proud to facilitate these pivotal discussions on sustainable leadership.

 

Speaker: Niels Thijssen, Professional Leadership Coach, Facilitator and Author

“A successful failure. That’s how I like to see myself.”

 

 

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.

 

 

On April 11, 2024, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Member Cinode, extended a warm welcome to Swedish Chamber Members and esteemed business relations for an enlightening afternoon presentation titled “What is happening in the consulting industry?”

The consulting sector plays a pivotal role in shaping businesses and industries, with its influence continually expanding. This event delved into the multifaceted landscape of consulting and Cinode took the audience on a journey through the intricacies of the Swedish and Dutch consulting realms, highlighting both similarities and distinctive features. Attendees had the opportunity to explore prevailing trends and gain valuable market insights.

The event fostered engaging discussions and facilitated the exchange of knowledge, providing a platform for attendees to forge meaningful connections. Participants also enjoyed excellent networking opportunities.

We were delighted to witness such a diverse gathering of Swedish Chamber Members and representatives from the consulting sector, each contributing unique perspectives and enriching the collective dialogue.

 

Key takeaways from the event

1. From competition to collaboration: the necessity of partnering with freelancers and other firms to meet increasingly demanding client requirements. There is also a need to build a strategic ecosystem of partners and subcontractors.
2. The Skills Gap and the importance of embracing constant learning. This includes tracking the demand and supply of skills within your company and developing a plan for upskilling. It’s essential to match the right consultant with the right project to facilitate learning, and to determine when to recruit internally versus when to leverage external skills such as Subcontractors
3. AI is affecting the consulting industry in multiple ways. There is a huge opportunity to help clients maximize the benefits of AI. However, consulting services must also leverage AI to become more efficient and deliver higher-quality results to increasingly demanding clients. The birth of the “hybrid consultant”.

 

Would you like to access the presentation from this event? Kindly send an email to Mattias Loxi, CMO. If you’re interested in Cinode or would like to follow its journey in entering the Dutch market, please contact Anders Hagberg, CEO. See contact details below. 

 

Speakers

• Anders Hagberg, CEO and Head of CRO. Email: anders.hagberg@cinode.com. Phone: +46 70 184 40 44.
• Lisa Larsson, Marketing Growth Specialist. Email: lisa.larsson@cinode.com.
• Mattias Loxi, Co-Founder and CMO. Email: mattias.loxi@cinode.com. Phone: +46 73 514 2170.
• Kimmo Kärkäinen, Sales. Email: kimmo.karkkainen@cinode.com. Phone: +35 84 51 66 42 24.

 

About Cinode
Cinode connects you to an expansive network of over 6000 consultancies. This network drives collaboration and dealmaking. Now, Cinode is excited to extend its services to Dutch consulting companies, aiming to accelerate their growth and success.

With nearly 300 customers Cinode is the leading platform for consultancies in the Nordics. The platform’s capabilities include quick client response times, optimized utilization, and transparent information for informed decision-making.

Who knows what, who’s available, what can I sell? Cinode is the all-in-one Saas platform that supercharges consultancies by giving crucial insights into sales, delivery, and skills.

 

The event was offered free of charge thanks to the generous sponsoring by:

 

 

A warm thank you to everyone who participated in the Swedish Chamber’s enlightening Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast, hosted by Sweco at their stunning headquarters in De Bilt and featuring Refugee Talent Hub.

“Diversity is not only inviting people to the party; you need to dance with them too” said Eugene Grüter, CEO at Sweco Nederland, as he shared his personal experiences of working with and mentoring refugee talent. Sweco actively collaborates with Refugee Talent Hub, an outstanding employer initiative that connects refugees with employers to secure paid jobs.

One of the event highlights was hearing from Refugee Talent Hub’s Partnership Manager Houda Zait about the organization’s workings, as well as from Naiem Zayeri on his journey as a refugee adapting to the Dutch business climate and culture.

It was also truly inspiring to hear Sweco’s HR Business Partner Suzan Peters present the close partnership between Sweco and Refugee Talent Hub, emphasizing the importance of recruiting refugee talent inclusively and championing social responsibility. We also thank Mark Wybenga from Sweco for excellent moderating!

With approximately 100,000 refugees currently seeking employment in the Netherlands, the Swedish Chamber and its members are proud to highlight the utilization of this often-overlooked talent pool, and to welcome new exceptional employees into forward-thinking and diverse teams! A huge thank you to Sweco for this fantastic breakfast, beautiful surroundings and impactful presentations!

 

Photo Credits: Salar Ashari, Refugee Talent Hub

 

The event was in collaboration with: 

     

ABOUT THE REFUGEE TALENT HUB

Refugee Talent Hub brings refugees and employers closer together to secure paid jobs. Our dream is a country in which employers see and acknowledge the talents of refugees and where refugees therefore have the right opportunities in the labour market.

During small-scale, tailor-made meetings and activities, personal encounters between employers and refugees are central. Together with employers, we strive for a refugee-friendly workplace, where employees with a refugee background are able to fit in – as easily as anyone else – and feel at home.

The idea of the Refugee Talent Hub descends from consultancy firm Accenture. The company presented the idea at the annual World Economic Forum in 2016, after which the Refugee Talent Hub was launched the same year.

 

ABOUT THE SWEDISH CHAMBER DIVERSITY & INCLUSION BREAKFASTS
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce together with its Diversity & Inclusion Committee aim to provide a series of Diversity & Inclusion Breakfasts to discuss strategies with a focus on new perspectives of D&I, share real cases and research, and support you with concrete tools to increase and develop D&I within your organization. For more information about the Swedish Chamber of Commerce D&I Program and the D&I Committee click here or send an email to events@swedishchamber.nl

“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Program kick-off”

 

We were thrilled to kick off the Swedish Chamber and Young Professionals Mentorship Program 2024 last week, together with the nine skilled Mentorship Program pairs joining the journey! The event started with an introduction by Mentorship Coach Hendrik Jan Guitink, leading the way with insightful guidelines. Mentees and Mentors were then divided into breakout sessions to map out personal goals and expectations, guided by former Mentee and YP Committee Member Malin Petrocchi, as well as Hendrik Jan. This was followed by the big reveal of Mentor-Mentee matches, after which the pairs had their first one-on-one chats to kickstart their mentoring journey.

 

Looking ahead, we are extending an open invitation to the Mentorship keynote lectures to all YP members, and welcome you to join these inspirational presentations and discussions. Seating is limited, so secure your spot today! Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
📅 April 18: Leadership with Niels Thijssen, Professional Leadership Coach and Facilitator
📅 May 14: Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Kristina Zumpolle, Founder, Executive Coach, Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, and Jasmijn de Smit, Executive Coach, Facilitator
📅 September 19: Business Culture with Candida Snow, Director of Snow Culture & Communication

 

Speakers 

 

• Hendrik-Jan Guitink, Mentorship Program Coach and Managing Partner of AIMS International Netherlands B.V and Mentorship Program Coach
• Malin K. Petrocchi, Head of Speak Up & Investigations at Prosus group.

 

 

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.