The Link, June 2021

THE 10 LARGEST SWEDISH EMPLOYERS IN THE UK

BOOKKEEPING AND LEGAL MADE SIMPLE

In a new feature series, we look at the Swedish footprint in the UK and how businesses contrubute to the UK economy.

Bokio and PocketLaw are shaking up the industry by making legal guidance and bookkeeping accessible and simple.

REACHING BEYOND THE FILTER BUBBLE Ansofy and Wiser combat filter bubbles and make the right content available through algorithms and hand-curated content.

LINK Dedicated to the Swedish-British business community since 1906

”There is some great work going on in the UK and we are able to benefit the rest of the group with some of that thinking as well.”

Gregor Craig, CEO & President of Skanska UK, on how the company is taking the lead in decarbonisation, health and safety, and diversity.

No.356

The LINK

ABOUT

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom is the ultimate business platform for Swedish and UK businesses. We help businesses establish, grow and develop, through our wide range of business services, matchmaking, events and programmes.

We represent some 400 businesses, from start-ups, to SMEs, unicorns and large multinational corporations, from across all sectors and industries. Founded in 1906 – by business and for business – we have connected the Swedish-British business community for over a century. Join us today, if you haven’t already.

SCC PATRONS

THE LINK ISSUE 356

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

Editors: Jonas Eklund, Tobias Almqvist and Anna Clark Cover: Gregor Craig, Skanska.

Photo: Renz Andres

LinkedIn: /company/swedish-chamber-of-commercefor-the-uk Twitter: @SwedishChamber Instagram: @sccuk

NOT A MEMBER YET? Visit www.scc.org.uk or contact us on +44 (0)20 7224 8001 / info@scc.org.uk

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LINK

DEAR MEMBER

A definite light at the end of the tunnel On 3 June, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 114th Annual General Meeting. We can only summarise 2020 as an eventful and game-changing year.

Two monumental and deeply impactful and structural changes swept over us simultaneously in the United Kingdom; with Britain’s long-awaited exit from the European Union and the Covid-19 pandemic.

For many businesses, it was a reckoning, and for most it led to an unparalleled fuelling of innovation. When writing this, we have reached the ‘opening up again’ phase of the pandemic, and following a successful vaccination programme, there is a definite light at the end of the tunnel later this summer. The focus is now on the way forward.

As of 1 January 2021, we are faced with a new European trading landscape, unfolding post-Brexit. With its 1,246 pages, the trade agreement is quite the achievement, considering the events of the autumn. In eliminating tariffs and laying the groundwork for future cooperation, it avoided some of the economic pain that a no-deal outcome would have left us all in. The first couple of months into the new trading relationship were at times painful, but we will all find our feet again as we get used to a new framework, new borders and new processes. The new year spells out a new era, and things have changed.

Swedish business shows confidence in the UK market. In an SCC survey from February 2021, some 40% of Swedish businesses remained optimistic about business growth, and over 70% see the UK as an important step in their continued international expansion strategies. Swedish businesses have long sought the UK as a natural expansion market, and

today some 100,000 jobs are secured through Swedish business and industry. The UK is still one of the world’s greatest economies and London is still a leading world financial centre.

Many Swedish businesses see an expansion to the UK as a gateway to the rest of the world, and the survey results confirm this.

In this issue of the Link, we take a look at the ten largest Swedish employers in the UK, together employing over 50,000 people across the four nations, from flat pack giant Ikea to 5G-enabler and developer Ericsson.

This autumn, we will continue diving into the Swedish footprint in the UK. Watch this space.

The Swedish-British trading relationship is important, and there is great mutual value in developing it. Through partnerships with the UK’s Department for International Trade and the Embassy of Sweden (to name a few) we continue supporting a growing number of Swedish businesses with hands-on support, introductions, matchmaking and ‘lessons learned’ when demystifying and enabling expansion to the UK. With the added complexities of Brexit, the Chamber and its network is in growing demand.

through our events – whether intimate roundtables or larger summits and forums, our accelerators and capital raising programmes, the business services which we offer, and our communications platforms.

In this issue of the Link you will hear from a number of our member businesses from a range of sectors, from construction giant Skanska’s approach to sustainability, how life science company Elekta is using AI to combat cancer, to how mobile digital solutions company Bontouch combines the best of Sweden and the UK in their approach to innovation.

This and much more.

Also, we would like to give our warmest welcome to our newest members Keystone Law, Malin Darlin, Mindler, Reguity, Sharkmob, TePe Oral Hygiene Products, The Intrepid Collective, Tyréns, and Whyre Ventures.

We represent a fantastic membership, and a strong trading partnership. If you haven’t joined us already, I hope you will do so in 2021. We have an exciting agenda for this year, and would love to have you part of the journey.

In celebration of this, we kicked off the third annual AccessUK programme with the London Bootcamp at the beginning of June.

The programme supports ten Swedish scaleups on their journey into the UK, and is a partnership with the Swedish Agency for Economic Growth.

Peter Sandberg Managing Director sandberg@scc.org.uk

Our commitment in 2021 includes a continued focus along our core themes of technology, sustainability, people culture and 21st century leadership. This will be manifested

SCC TEAM EVENTS AND PROGRAMMES

MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Finance and Operations

Mathilda Börjesson, Manager

Sofia Larsen, Senior Manager

Peter McNamee, Financial Controller

Michelle Riedenfalk, Sten A. Olsson Foundation for Research and Culture Scholar Erik Adling Tufvesson

Maria Karlsson, Gull & Stellan Ljungberg Foundation Scholar Kajsa Thorselius

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Business services

Contact us

Jonas Eklund, Manager Tobias Almqvist, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK Scholar Anna Clark

Anna Crona, Manager Mahmoud Hajo, Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad Scholar Rebecca Fransson

Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK Sweden House, 5 Upper Montagu Street, London W1H 2AG +44 (0)20 7224 8001, info@scc.org.uk

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We know the Nordics by heart.

With more than 160 years of Nordic Private Banking experience, we understand the unique challenges you face as a Nordic national living abroad. That is why we offer financial services tailored to your international needs.

To find out more, please contact Helena Whitmore or Daniel Wikehult +44 (0) 20 7246 4225 privatebanking@seb.co.uk Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) (SEB), London Branch sebgroup.com/privatebanking This communication is made by Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), London Branch for informational purposes only.

Our London Branch is available to introduce you to the SEB Private Banking network outside the United Kingdom. SEB London Branch is authorised and regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details of the Temporary Permissions Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website.

CONTENTS THE LINK • ISSUE 356 • JUNE 2021

Meeting the growing demand of minerals sustainably With a smartphone containing up to 50 different elements, LKAB Minerals is answering the calls to extract the much needed rare earth minerals in a sustainable manner.

Page 5-6

Getting a grip of the new UK immigration regulations

Reducing realworld friction with digital innovation

Deidre Murphy, Solicitor at North Star Law, explains the various immigration routes and visa alternatives following the UK’s exit from the EU.

Doing things differently has made mobile innovation agency Bontouch a force to be reckoned with.

Page 15 Page 24

BRINGING SWEDISH RECYCLING EXPERIENCE TO THE UK

USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO COMBAT CANCER

BRAND & MARKETING TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2021

Inventor of the pneumatic waste collection system Envac, is envisioning a future with nicer, greener and cleaner cities.

Elekta, a pioneer in radiation medicine, is making use of AI technology and big data analytics in its fight against cancer.

Alex Haddon, Managing and Creative Director at IC Design, on the trends to look out for in the second half of 2021 and beyond.

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PAGE 16

PAGE 18

IN THE LINK ONE YEAR AGo One year ago, The Link published an article about blockchain technology. Even though it was stated in the article that the technology still was in its early stages of development, John Salmon, Technology Partner and Global Head of the Blockchain Practice at Hogan Lovells said: ”I think that something will come out of blockchain that will significantly change the world that we live in”. Only one year later, we can now see how hospitals are running trials with blockchain systems and major banks are following suit.

The technology is also used in the phenomenon of NFTs (Non-fungible tokens), Bitcoin has skyrocketed and investment in blockchain technology by businesses is forecast to reach almost $16 billion by 2023. It is safe to say that John’s prediction might be quite accurate.

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LINK

PATRONS HIGHLIGHT

Meeting the growing demand of minerals sustainably LKAB Minerals is an international player in the industrial minerals market with a top position in a number of product applications. As a part of Swedish state-owned company LKAB, LKAB Minerals is one of the world’s leading producers of highly upgraded industrial minerals. The Link had a chat with CEO Darren Wilson on groundbreaking minerals, iron ore and movements in the industrial minerals market.

BY: ANNA CLARK

LKAB started operations as early as 1890 and is today producing close to 27 million tonnes of iron ore products and is a growing supplier of minerals, services, and high-tech products for mining and other industries. In light of the 100 year-old Swedish mining industry, LKAB produces iron ore that goes into the steel industry and has a history of non-steel applications, such as radiation shielding and civil engineering projects. In 1989 a separate division at LKAB was formed specialising in selling iron ore into non-steel applications. This was the birth of the industrial mineral business that now has 400 employees in 12 international locations supplying over 40 minerals into multiple applications. Outside of Sweden, the UK is the largest business and where the group minerals business is run from. Apart from an obvious need for a minerals division, Darren, CEO of LKAB Minerals, says that LKAB Minerals is all about resource efficiency.

When mining, you take out more than the primary material needed for the end application. “Any modern sustainable mining company

needs a secondary minerals business to maximise the resource efficiency from what is mined. We currently supply by-products into applications. Such as Civil Engineering and water treatment, and we are now investing in technology to extract rare Earth elements and agricultural phosphates in the future. Europe is currently dependant on other parts of the world to supply these minerals that are critical for the growth of green technology.”

LKAB Minerals now processes minerals in many locations outside of Sweden that give a complementary route to market for LKAB by-products. “By having a business outside of Sweden, we are present in core markets such as construction, agriculture and green technology.” Darren nods to the complex macroeconomics side of minerals and the increasing global middle-class population with a growing demand for washing machines, telephones and even better hospitals with improved equipment. “If you take a smartphone, it has around 50 different elements and there is no area in

Jennifer McGlade, Marketing Communications Manager, Rowan Elliott, Managing Director LKAB Minerals Ltd, Darren Wilson, CEO Industrial Minerals, Samantha Bucknall, Derby Works Manager.

Photo: LKAB Minerals.

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the world where you dig a hole in the ground and extract all 50 elements together. The raw materials naturally occur in many different locations. So, we are in a world where we want to decarbonise and protect the environment, yet we still need more minerals. Therefore, when we do mine for minerals, we have a responsibility to extract the maximum resource possible and keep the environmental impact to a minimum.” Last but not least, there is a practice around how components are recycled from the extraction. It all comes down to mineral efficiency, which is absolutely critical to LKAB’s holistic approach to sustainability.

“We are in a world where we want to decarbonise and protect the environment, yet we still need more minerals.”

Combating challenges and perceptions A common contradiction and yet an approachable thought is that extracting resources is simply the wrong thing to do. “We hear wellintentioned politicians talk about protecting the environment and limiting resource extraction.

In the same speech, they discuss the importance of investing in green technologies such as the drive for electric vehicles, renewable energy generation, more complex hospital equipment or other supporting technologies.

Those technologies wouldn’t exist without metals and industrial minerals, so the key is to extract material in an efficient, decarbonised way and then utilise waste streams from manufacturing components and recycling the finished products after use. And that is essentially where LKAB Minerals position ourselves.”

LINK

PATRONS HIGHLIGHT

Darren Wilson, CEO of LKAB Minerals. Photo: LKAB Minerals.

Education and acceptance Society has a key role to play. Darren explains, “Within developed economies across Europe we should be more open to the need to extract the critical minerals needed closer to the point of consumption. This not only reduces the need to move materials around the world generating CO2, but also ensures minerals are extracted in safe and sustainable conditions.

By ignoring the challenge, developed countries move the problem to other parts of the world.

For environmental, as well as geopolitical reasons, we need to take greater local responsibility”. Not all minerals can be sourced locally.

For global sourcing of minerals that LKAB processes and upgrades, procurement teams based in Sweden, the UK and China audit all of the supply chain to ensure that compliance with the highest standards are maintained.

A committed, innovative and responsible generalist “I say to our team that the business that we are doing now, won’t be the same in three years, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the fact that customers innovate and change. So when you look at a certain component, you can almost be certain that this will be made of different minerals and compounds in the next generation of products. For example, the materials in electric vehicles are substanitally different to those needed for our current petrol or diesel powered cars. We need to be innovative and entrepreneurial to meet customer requirements.” As market trends come and go, there are numerous things to consider, and the solution is to be as close as possible to the market and understand what’s changing. With 1000+ applications to consider, there’s a need for LKAB Minerals to be a generalist and fathom the market rather than be a specialist in all fields.

Darren states that the drivers for change reflect society and a growing acceptance and understanding of science. “Fortunately, we’re in a society that recognises the impact of human behaviour, and most people want to do something about it. Sweden is perceived as a leader in this sense which is something that we promote for the UK business.” Material technology is another driver Darren foresees affecting the business going forward, “200 years ago, most products were made of about five or six different elements. Most items made today, whether it’s a television, a toaster, a smartphone, are made of half of the natural elements in the Universe. So there’s a next level complexity to it as material science has driven the need for different minerals to be used in different ways.”

LKAB Minerals core values are to be committed, innovative, and responsible. These are all reflected in LKABs’ respect for its people, how the company respects the environments it operates in, and the way LKAB wants to take responsibility for how the future looks. “It’s about being a part of politics but also about supporting customers and being innovative.

A great example is achieving zero CO2 steel; since we don’t make steel, we’re creating a whole technology around the iron ore that will go into the technology for zero-carbon steel.

This means we won’t be producing products for non-zero CO2 steel in the future. That’s what the values are all about, doing the right thing.”

Building on the Swedish heritage The Swedish heritage is reflected in LKAB Minerals’ values, and Darren refers to the construction of the new UK head office in Derby and their open plan solution. “We are creating a whole space, dedicated to the concept of

fika and employee wellbeing, called the fika cafe. It’s nice to have a name for the ritual of taking a social break with colleagues. It also reinforces the Swedish values as well as sustainability, responsibility and everything that we are aiming for.” The pandemic has put office work in a new light, and Darren continues that being at work isn’t about sitting at your desk for 40 hours a week. The LKAB workplace reflects flexibility by being able to move about through the day by being at the desk, in formal meeting spaces, informal meetings areas, creative areas and of course a coffee in the fika area. Having short fika-breaks throughout the day will be beneficial for your role even though you won’t talk about work. Darren continues: “From a wellbeing perspective, it’s good to switch off, clear your head with a break and casual conversation as you are then refreshed and ready to get back to your task.”

Looking forward, LKAB Minerals will continue to grow organically and through investment.

The key lies in having strong market knowledge and educating people on minerals and the process. “Sustainability has started the debate for us, and it won’t go away. There is momentum to it, and I’m convinced our approach to resource efficiency is here to stay.”

THE PATRONSHIP The SCC patronship consists of a core group of SCC member businesses committed to supporting the Swedish-British business community. The patronship comes with a range of benefits – if you would like to know more, please contact membership@scc.org.uk.

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lifetime r u o f o hallenge c t a e r g The er it togeth e v l o s we can and how

23 September | 10:00am - 5:30pm | Kimpton Fitzroy, London REGISTER NOW AT scc.org.uk

Join us at Impact 2021 to hone in on the key issues and solutions in helping us reduce our footprint, and together reaching the United Nations sustainable development goals.

2021 is an interesting year for sustainability in the UK, with the Prime Minister’s ‘Build back better’ initiatives and hosting the COP26 in the autumn. Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union have a lot to learn from, and to be inspired by, each other. At Impact you will meet businesses making real impactful changes to their operations, business models being turned upside down, politicians and policy makers working alongside corporates, and the next generation entrepreneurs and ideas shaping our future.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Johan Torgeby President and Group Chief Executive, SEB

Leyla Ertur Head of Sustainability, H&M Group

Lilli Matson Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer, Transport for London

Peter Jelkeby Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK and Ireland

Thomas Hörnfeldt Vice President Sustainability & Public Affairs, SSAB

Darren Wilson CEO, LKAB Minerals

Robert Andrén Director General, Swedish Energy Agency

Charles Brand President Europe & Central Asia Region​, Tetra Pak

James Padden Head of Future Roads Technology, Department for Transport

Victoria Hills MRTPI FICE Chief Executive, Royal Town Planning Institute

SPONSORED BY

LINK

IMPACT

BRINGING SWEDISH RECYCLING EXPERIENCE TO THE UK In order to reach the United Nations sustainable development goals and meet the climate change goals set out in the Paris Climate Change Agreement, policymakers, consumers and businesses need to cooperate to reduce our footprint. The Link talked to Dave Buckley, Managing Director of SCC member Envac UK, about their contribution to this challenge and how cities can become nicer, greener and cleaner places to live.

BY: TOBIAS ALMQVIST

Envac is a waste handling systems provider founded in 1953, today owned by Stena Adactum. With its automated, pneumatic waste collection system, Envac has a vision to create smarter cities, improve quality of life today, and help secure a greener planet for future generations. Dave explains how the Envac system works: “Instead of having a dustbin or a bag outside your house which is collected by the local authority once a week, you put your waste into a waste inlet, and that is then transported underground to a central holding area.”

Simplified waste recycling This system comes with a multitude of benefits. For instance, it simplifies waste recycling, meaning higher recycling rates and less waste going to landfills. Instead of having diesel vehicles running around polluting the air, the holding area creates a vacuum sucking the waste. It makes the waste

Dave Buckley, Managing Director of Envac UK. Photo: Envac.

much easier to collect while emitting 95% less emissions. Taking away the vehicles and dustbins also creates a safer and more people-friendly living environment.

traditional methods to UK companies can be difficult, so being able to show the Swedish result of nearly 60 years of Envac experience is obviously an advantage.”

Taking dustbins out of the picture gives the home developer more space and allows for a different way of building. “If you’re building a development where you don’t have to have a 36-tonne vehicle running around picking up the rubbish, the roads can be built differently.

You can have more space for amenities and make it a nicer, greener and cleaner place to live,” Dave says. In addition, the Envac system can also drive recycling performance.

“The UK, for instance, has a static recycling performance, having stayed the same for over ten years. An Envac system, produced properly, can be three or four times more effective,” Dave explains.

Time for reflection during the pandemic Dave admits that the pandemic has proven to be a tough challenge for Envac. “Having to work from home wasn’t a very big issue, but the fact that everything stopped for eight months definitely was. We struggled like many other companies and the hangover has carried on a little bit into this year, but things are getting better now.” However, Dave emphasises that the pandemic brought some benefits in terms of reflection and evaluation. “What it allowed us to do was just have a look at how we did things. We had plenty of time to look at lessons learned instead of rushing ahead, to give people a bit more responsibility and use people and their core skills rather than trying to do too much.”

“Being able to show the Swedish result of nearly 60 years of Envac experience is obviously an advantage.”

Challenge not to grow too fast Looking ahead, Dave is confident that Envac is on the right path. “We have a couple of new clients, for instance, local authorities in London looking at our solution. Looking forward, I think one of our challenges will actually be to not grow too fast. We need to make sure that we plan our growth well, but we’ve had plenty of time to plan our growth in the past year, and I’m sure we will succeed.

Convincing investors of the benefits One of the biggest challenges for Envac, and perhaps to all transitions towards more sustainable methods, is to convince investors of the benefits. “I think we can be a bit afraid of new things here in the UK. We’re quite conservative. So our challenge is to demonstrate that investing in an Envac system is offset by the benefits, e.g. lower operating expenses.”

Envac’s Swedish heritage does, however, help them to overcome this challenge. “We are seen as Swedish and we definitely use it as a point of differentiation. Selling against

ABOUT ENVAC Founded in 1953 in Sweden, SCC member Envac is a global player in the automated waste collection industry and the inventor of the pneumatic waste collection system.

With a vision to create smarter cities and improve quality of life, the company aims to help secure a greener planet for future generations. Envac is owned by Stena Adactum AB, a company in the Stena Sphere.

Learn more at www.envacgroup.com.

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LINK

SWEDISH FOOTPRINT IN THE UK

 LARGEST Swedish TOP

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Employers in the UK Swedish businesses have been present in the United Kingdom for centuries and contribute to the UK economy and society through investments, innovation, people culture and not least through the thousands of job opportunities created. In fact – the ten largest Swedish employers alone, employ more than 55,000 people across sectors and industries in the UK. In a new series of features, we will be looking at different aspects of the Swedish footprint in the UK, starting with ranking the Swedish employers that create the most job opportunities in the UK.

55,600 Together, the top ten largest Swedish businesses employ close to 55,600 people across sectors and industries, across the UK.

H&M

 NO.

1

 12,100 

300

UK head office: London Close to 300 stores across the UK.

Employing over 12,100 and with close to 300 stores across the UK, retail giant and SCC patron H&M takes the number one spot as the largest Swedish employer in the UK. With a circular approach and a range of brands such as H&M Home, & Other Stories, COS and Arket, H&M Group has in recent years diversified its range to “make great design available to everyone in a sustainable way”, now also including experiences such as modern, healthy food.

H&M testing a new store concept in Hammersmith London, in 2018.

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SECURITAS

IKEA

 NO.

2

 10,800 

100% OF CONTRACTED HOURS PAID TO ALL CO-WORKERS DURING LOCK-DOWN

UK head office: Milton Keynes. 21 stores, a planning studio and 2 collection points across the UK.

With nearly 10,800 employees, SCC patron and self-assembly innovator IKEA, is the second largest Swedish employer in the UK. The UK presence includes 21 stores, two collection points, one planning studio and a wind farm in Dummuies, Scotland.

After opening its Planning Studio on Tottenham Court Road in London, IKEA continues its inner-city strategy by opening a store in Hammersmith later in 2021, as a way to respond to people’s evolving shopping habits.

IKEA’s planning studio on Tottenham Court Road in London launched in 2018.

 NO.

3





8,100 CERTIFIED TOP EMPLOYER 2021

UK head office: London 38 local branches across the UK.

With more than 8,100 employees, SCC patron Securitas is one of the largest security companies in the UK and ranks as the third largest Swedish employer in the UK. Securitas UK has been officially recognised as a Top Employer 2021 by the Top Employers Institute for its commitment to delivering exceptional people management and HR strategies.

The company has received the certification for the third year running.

Securitas has been recognised as a Top Employer for several years in a row.

LINK

ASTRAZENECA



HANDELSBANKEN

NOBIA

 8,000  5

NO.

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UK head office: Cambridge Also sites in Alderley Park, Luton, Macclesfield, and Speke.

With its Swedish-British ownership, and an equal spread of employees in both Sweden and in the UK, the company is a true symbol of a successful Swedish-British partnership.

Since early 2020 when the true scale of the ongoing pandemic became clear, AstraZeneca has committed to help defeat COVID-19 by harnessing and sharing its scientific knowledge and expertise to advance and accelerate the development of potential medicines to prevent or treat the virus. The AstraZeneca vaccine was first used in December in the UK.

SWEDISH FOOTPRINT IN THE UK

 2,800

NO.

6



210

NO.

7

UK head office: Darlington 210 stores across the country as well as five production units.

Europe’s leading kitchen specialist and SCC member Nobia, employs approximately 2,800 people in the UK. The company has 210 stores across the country, as well as five production units in Darlington, Dewsbury, Halifax, Morley and Grays.

In the UK, Nobia is present with the brands Magnet, Gower, Rixonway Kitchens, Commodore Kitchens and CIE. ATLAS COPCO NO.

7

 

 

2,500 190

UK head office: London Over 190 local branches across the UK.

SCC patron Handelsbanken employs approximately 2,500 people across over 190 branches in the UK. The bank calls itself a local relationship bank and with its decentralised model, each branch operates as a local business, empowering them to make key banking decisions. For the twelfth year in a row, an independent survey of British bank customers’ satisfaction has found Handelsbanken to have the most satisfied customers in Britain, both for individual and corporate banking.

2,500 100 YEARS IN THE UK

UK head office: Hemel Hempstead 15 sales centres and six production sites.

Aerial view of AstraZeneca’s Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

SKANSKA NO.

5

 

3,300 5

UK head office: Rickmansworth Also offices in Bristol, Doncaster, London and in Motherwell, Scotland.

Industrial company and SCC patron Atlas Copco employs approximately 2,500 people across its head office, 15 sales centres and six production sites in the UK, providing compressed air and vacuum equipment, industrial power tools, and air, power and flow solutions, as well as service and maintenance.

Celebrating 100 years in the country in 2019, the company’s UK customer centre is the oldest Atlas Copco customer centre in continuous operation, outside Scandinavia.

SCC patron Skanska is one of the UK’s leading construction contractors, employing approximately 3,300 people in the country, and in extension, Skanska projects employs more than 10,000 in total.

With its motto ‘Naturally Skanska’, the company celebrates people’s differences, knowing that diversity opens a rich potential for new ways of thinking, and to building successful and winning teams. Read more about Skanska on pages 37-38.

ERICSSON NO.

7

 

2,500 8

UK head office: Reading Also offices in Chiswick, Coventry, Ealing, Glasgow, Leeds, Salford and Southampton.

SCC patron Ericsson has been connecting the UK for more than 120 years. Headquartered in Reading and with seven offices in Chiswick, Coventry, Ealing, Glasgow, Leeds, Salford and Southampton, the company employs approximately 2,500 people in the UK. Atlas Copco’s Power Technique Press Event in London, in 2018.

STENA NO.

7

Development site ‘21 Moorfields’, at the northern edge of the City of London.

Handelsbanken’s branch office in Bury St Edmunds.



2,500

Managing mobile networks for over 90 million UK subscribers and creating technology solutions for customers and industry partners, Ericsson is today leading the development in 5G across the UK.

UK head office: London Port operations in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Onshore locations in e.g.

Clydebank, Aberdeen and Glasgow, Scotland.

Stena has been present in the UK since the mid-60’s. The group has expanded its business activities in the UK substantially throughout the years, especially in the areas of Ferry Operation, Offshore Drilling and Shipping, and employs approximately 2,500 people across its business areas.

Ericsson’s UK headquarters in Reading.

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Saab Digital Tower goes live at London City Airport.

In April London City Airport became the first major international airport to convert its traditional air traffic control tower to Saab’s digital tower technology. Sixteen high-definition cameras and sensors capture a 360-degree view of the airfield relaying to a new control room in NATS’ air traffic control centre, 85 miles away in Swanwick, Hampshire through a high-speed fibre connection.

Our next-generation air traffic control system significantly improves controllers’ situational awareness, enabling quick and informed decisions that advance safety and operational efficiency.

Learn more at saab.com/uk

LINK

FEATURE

bookkeeping and legal made simple Automating, facilitating and simplifying processes seems to be the definition of the still early 21st century. We learn to do things differently and continuously crave new ways to streamline workflows to make life a little easier.

SCC members Bokio and PocketLaw are two companies profoundly shaping and shaking up the old ways of doing bookkeeping and legal; two sectors that can come across as quite perplexing with a need for an in-depth understanding and, at times, a heavy administrative burden. The time has come to put complicated and manual solutions on the shelf and empower companies with the right tech.

BY: ANNA CLARK

Founded back in 2018, PocketLaw is an in-house digital lawyer that provides a user-friendly digital solution for daily legal challenges and guidance; facilitating legal services such as contract, employment, corporate, commercial GDPR, and compliance management as well as providing companies with access to lawyers when they need personal legal advice. The wide-ranging solution stems from a lack of service offerings, or rather competitors not offering the end-to-end need identified by co-founder Olga Beck-Friis and CEO and co-founder Kira Unger. The unique selling point is simple; you don’t have to be a lawyer to understand what legal you need, or to solve your legal challenges yourself.

“When me and my co-founder, Kira, started looking at legal tech - before we founded PocketLaw, we were surprised that so few players were taking the perspective of challenges. Most offerings were aimed at law firms or helped companies with only parts of their needs, such as a contract management system or templates online.” PocketLaw entered the market with the aim to help companies identify and solve their legal challenges in a simple way for a reasonable amount of money so that companies can to focus on what really matters; growing their business.

All-in-one solution for anyone to use With a similar goal but on the other side of the spectrum, we have Bokio, with the ambition to make bookkeeping as easy as possible. “For us, it’s about breaking down barriers and enabling everyone to pursue their passions of running a company, something that is tedious, and that’s traditionally maybe been reserved for people in privileged situations where you have to have a lot of complex knowledge and capital to run a company. Bokio caters to many small companies. However, those companies generally don’t

Olga Beck-Friis, Co-founder and Kira Unger, CEO and Co-founder. Photo: PocketLaw.

get the credit they deserve, but they’re still essentially the backbone of the economy”, says Viktor Stensson, CEO and Founder, Bokio. Bokio was launched in the UK in 2019 in connection to the HMRCs’ initiative of digitising tax, offering the entire infrastructure of bookkeeping, VAT management, invoicing and expense management. With an HQ in Gothenburg and over 50 nationalities in-house, Bokio has surpassed 4000 active clients in the UK and growing rapidly.

Empowerment, good looks and being in control With over 1,500 new companies using their service in just over a year in Sweden, Pocketlaw launched this spring in the UK. A successful pilot scheme meant further deals with external partners such as British law firms and accounting firms and more resources to empower business in the UK. Operating in the digital age has allowed companies to be more agile but has also put additional pressure on quick decision-making and efficiency. Pocketlaw enables companies to do legal themselves without limiting themselves to a lawyer, a specific time or predefined structures. “We have worked very close with our customers and invested a lot in user design to make sure that the platform is intuitive and easy to use. You can create an incentive scheme or a shareholder’s agreement without being a lawyer, and without having to understand all the complicated legal lingo. With our platform, you also have full control of your legal, you know where all your employment contracts are, and you know the legal side of your business is always up to date”.

Catering to customer needs and teaming up with the right partner Olga and Viktor advocate that the customer focus is sprung from fearlessness, determination and an outstanding team. “Everyone on the team are true innovators at heart; always aiming to push the boundaries for how much of traditional legal tasks that can be digitised. We are really excited about what the future holds for legal services.” Olga continues pointing to the fact that the flat Swedish organisation allows people to make mistakes. There’s transparency which facilitates risktaking and, in its turn, resolves challenges. Although the Swedish traditions leave their mark on the organisation, Viktor adds that the biggest influence at Bokio is the humble entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to understand and really listen to the client needs.

“We’re thriving on how to automate and digitalise for the better. For example, taking pictures of your receipts on the go to make sure you

Viktor Stensson, CEO and Founder, Bokio. Photo: Bokio.

can send invoices when visiting a client straight away. We have live bank feeds coming in from a bank account to make sure that we can always be up to date on your financial position”.To verify that the company does the right things, Viktor adds that Bokio utilises a feedback community with 11,000 clients to understand their clients’ needs in Sweden. A similar but smaller-scaled feedback loop has also been implemented in the UK. Catering to customer needs also mean recommending beyond company borders and in-house knowledge. To offer the ultimate support and create value for their clients, Bokio and PocketLaw partner up and offer their respective clients discounts and unique offerings from the respective services. The two companies share similar missions of transforming an archaic industry by using tech to create more value for companies.

Digital as the new normal The future looks bright for Bokio and PocketLaw and they both agree that they’ve just scratched the surface of digitizing and techifying their respective sectors. “We invest quite heavily in product development, and we always try to, to move our positions forward. I think that there is a big shift in acceptance, what we’re doing is not a threat to accountants existence. It’s a threat to a part of what they used to do; the more tedious and boring parts that no one really wants to do or pay for. So there is an opportunity for them as well to accelerate their efforts and the value that they can bring to the clients” Viktor adds. Olga agrees that the opportunities are limitless and that we’re just at the forefront of what the future holds for legal tech. PocketLaw is and will continue to be an enabler of digital law in an international perspective, “We want to become the global pathway to every jurisdiction in the world, and given, that all the necessary technology already exists, there’s nothing stopping us. We are very excited about what the future holds.”

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PATRONS HIGHLIGHT

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Read more and apply at www.hhs.se/scholarship Deadline August 31

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FEATURE

Using Artificial Intelligence to combat cancer “You have cancer” are the words nearly 50,000 people worldwide hear every day. A cancer diagnosis not only affects the patient but also touches family and friends. SCC member Elekta, a pioneer in radiation medicine for almost five decades, offers personalised Radiation Therapy (RT) solutions to cancer patients. In a chat with Link, Dee Mathieson, Senior VP Linac Service and MD of Elekta UK, shares the company’s vision of treating cancer and gives insights on using Artificial Intelligence to fight cancer.

Elekta Unity MR Linac, the world’s first high-field magnetic resonance radiotherapy system. Photo: Elekta.

“As a former radiographer, I have never forgotten the patients I met and still draw on those experiences. It will always be close to my heart. At Elekta, it is our mission to make sure we are providing our customers with the best solutions that deliver the most precise, personalised care,” says Dee. Elekta takes an outside-in approach to the continued evolution of precision medicine, basing its innovations on research. “The insights we gain through direct collaboration with clinicians and researchers are the driving force for creating ground-breaking solutions tailored to the needs of patients.”

Personalised Radiotherapy The whole concept of “see-what-you-treat” goes hand in hand with personalising radiotherapy. State-of-the-art technologies, such as robots, navigation systems, and treatment systems, come together to enable clinicians to see their targets and acquire richer data. With Elekta Unity, tumours can be precisely located and have their movement tracked. The end goal is to facilitate decision-making – creating a personalised treatment for the needs of the patient. Elekta believes that it is all about reducing complications, improving outcomes, and tailoring treatments based on anatomy and biology to deliver personalised radiation medicine.

The concept of “see-what-youtreat” reached its full realisation with the introduction of the Elekta Unity MRLinac, the world’s first high-field magnetic resonance radiotherapy system.

Dee Mathieson, Senior VP The first patient Linac Service and MD of

treatment on a CE-marked Elekta Unity was done in August 2018.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Operated Solutions Many healthcare organisations have turned to emerging technologies like AI and big data analytics to improve the existing maintenance operations. Machine learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) provide the opportunity to process massive amounts of data faster than ever before. By leveraging ML and DL models to identify patterns, the information derived from equipment sensors can be turned into meaningful and actionable insights for proactive maintenance of assets, thereby preventing incidents that result in unplanned clinical downtime.

“At Elekta, big data, AI and other digital tools offer new capabilities that can improve service and support. For instance, over 80 per cent of Elekta’s global-installed base of digital linear accelerators are connected to our remote system for proactive support and predictive maintenance called Elekta IntelliMax®. It enables a service engineer to see and resolve potential problems before they arise, maximising clinical availability, minimising costs and reducing the chance of disruption for the patient,” explains Dee. This year, more than 3,000 IntelliMax-generated cases avoided clinical interruptions and downtime. Seventy-five per cent of these predictive cases were raised through AI algorithms. Elekta’s remote technology has helped healthcare providers to keep their systems running during the pandemic.

Milestones in targeting cancer Much of the radiotherapy R&D work that Elekta has done over the years has been geared

toward helping clinicians better target cancer and avoid exposing normal tissues to radiation.

“In 2002, we were the first technology provider to introduce a system – the Elekta Synergy® linac – with an integrated imaging workflow to view the lesion within the patient at the time of treatment. It was the birth of the era of Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).”

In September 2020, Elekta introduced its newest linear accelerator, a system explicitly designed to address the global cancer burden.

Dee says: “The new linac, Elekta Harmony, was created to provide the ideal balance of productivity, reliability, ease of use and precision. The system is exceptionally versatile, enabling doctors to use a variety of advanced techniques to treat cancer in the breast, lung, prostate and several other disease sites.”

UK campus playing a critical role Elekta’s Crawley campus, “Cornerstone”, is home to the manufacturing, research & development (R&D) teams, clinical experts, and customer-facing professionals. It has played a critical role in Elekta’s innovation and manufacturing history. In fact, the world’s first digital linear accelerator (linac) that delivers precision radiation therapy was developed in Crawley over 60 years ago. Two years ago, Elekta delivered their 5,000th linac – an advanced Versa HD system built-in Crawley to a centre in Korea.

Future Plans Elekta has a rich history of innovation and is consistently pushing the field forward. They are making efforts to innovate across their different products and technologies (linacs, MLC, software / AI / deep learning) to advance the capabilities of Elekta cancer treatment solutions with an objective to further automate tasks and simplify the treatment process.

Elekta UK.

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FEATURE

Using digital innovation to reduce friction in the real world With over 50 million users across 200 countries, award-winning mobile innovation agency Bontouch, specialises in helping its partners build innovative digital solutions in industries as diverse as travel, retail and finance. Doing things a little differently has definitely made this company a force to be reckoned with in the digital industry worldwide.

BY: JONAS HEDQVIST

With products such as Swish (a popular money transfer app), the SJ app (Swedish Railways) and PostNord, most Swedes have at least one app developed by Bontouch on their smartphones. But that’s just the tip of this Scandinavian iceberg. Bontouch now also has studios in NYC and London, and is known for its impressive partnership track record worldwide, with deep ties to giants like Amazon, Google and Apple.

We met up with Chris Hanage, Head of the UK studio, to hear about their experiences of the UK Market so far and explore what has made them the go-to choice for many wellknown companies in Sweden and abroad, as well as coming highly recommended by the likes of Apple and Google.

Software as a layer on physical services Bontouch initially specialised in analogue-todigital experiences, using digital technologies to reduce friction in the real world. By adding software as a layer on top of physical goods and services, the company helps clients to transform their customer experience and increase their rate of innovation.

“Many of our partners are world leading brands that have an existing physical product or service. We offer them a unique model and all skills required for modern digital product development, including strategy, design, development and maintenance,” Chris Hanage tells us. “Today we work with partners across the whole product spectrum but this initial background in crossing the analogue-digital divide was a fantastic bedrock for future growth.”

Bringing world-class design to London The company was established in the UK in 2017 and Bontouch saw many reasons as to why opening up in London was the right step to take. “It’s a big market, it’s got a lot of talent, and it’s got some really interesting established companies, as well as start-ups which would add to what we already do,” Chris says.

To combine the talent from the two countries has also been a big advantage. With successful recruitment drives with KTH, Hyper Island and Imperial College London it’s been possible

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to create exciting and diverse teams with both Swedish and British influences. “This is a really important synergy,” Chris tells us. “We’re based in London, but our clients can have access to both UK engineering expertise, as well as the Scandinavian design that is considered some of the best in the world.”

Loyalty as a competetive advantage The unique long-term commitment from the company to its clients is what sets Bontouch apart from many of its competitors in the UK and worldwide. “It’s all about relations and sustainability. We won’t take on a project that competes with an existing client in the same territory. That means that clients don’t just bring us in to build stuff, they’ll be bringing us in to partner with them in the long run,” Chris says and explains that some clients have been with the company for a decade. Often starting out with one specific project, they soon see the progress and the added value, resulting in them wanting more.

“Clients don’t just bring us in to build stuff, they’ll be bringing us in to partner with them in the long run.”

“When we start to really get to know our partners we find possibilities and layers between all kinds of products and users. Some of these can be ‘old school’ activities that 10 or 15 years ago no-one would have dreamt would have a software element such as controlling your air filters or using a skipass and others can be services which without software would never exist, such as Swishing your friends.

And that’s the core of what we do, it’s our job to delight the end-user and they, in turn, keep our partners happy.”

The phone of the future Talking about trends, Chris mentions augmented reality as well as all things related to

The SJ app is only one of several applications developed by Bontouch that most Swedes have in their smartphones.

Photo: Bontouch.

health, especially products that democratise healthcare.

Another big trend is removing the handset from how we connect to the services we have on our phones today. “I heard a great quote stating: the phone of the future will be the phone that you don’t have,” he tells us.

“What you need is just to be connected into the digital infrastructure. Actually, making a call to somebody today can be seen as quite intrusive. It’s almost like you knocking on a colleague’s door on a Sunday. Phones today are not phones in that respect. It’s more your window of services.”

Combining the best of Sweden and the UK Life after the pandemic seems bright for Bontouch’s London studio, which held a successful workshop with Google and H&M on voice applications that is now held up as best practice by Google and published on their website as an element of good innovation. The company plans to bring over more colleagues from Stockholm and is also recruiting in the UK. “We’re doing a nice blend of getting that magic DNA coming over from Sweden, and at the same time also recruiting locally. We have some client announcements coming up quite soon, which is going to be quite exciting as well.”

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FEATURE

Reaching beyond the filter bubble Since the dawn of the internet, the volume of content available to us has been growing exponentially. In order to help us find what we are looking for, search engines and content providers have introduced curation algorithms that provide users with a tailor-made feed of content based on, for instance, our click-history and location. Algorithms, however, come with side effects, with so-called filter bubbles being perhaps the most serious one. The Link talked to SCC members Ansofy and Wiser, who both aim to overcome this challenge and provide us with content that is diverse and mind-opening.

BY: TOBIAS ALMQVIST

“Filter bubbles can be nice and comfortable for the readers, but where the companies have gone wrong is that you cannot come out of your bubble to see new things. The algorithms of today just give you more of what you already know, which narrows down your perception,” Theresa Weber-Qvarfort, Founder and CEO of Swedish social impact startup ‘Ansofy,’ says. According to Theresa, this is a threat to democracy, as people struggle to get the correct picture of what is actually happening around the world.

Information should be free Ansofy is developing an algorithm that will do the opposite, aiming to expand their user’s perspectives by recommending relevant articles on the same topic but from sources they normally don’t read. “We believe that information should be free and that the readers themselves should be able to decide what is relevant or not for them to read,” Theresa says. Theresa, who is of German descent, got the idea for the platform while spending hours looking for the latest news on her native country. “The information was so fragmented that it was impossible to get an understanding of events,” she says. In addition, algorithms repeatedly recommended her Swedish local newspapers. Ansofy thus aims to make information, and more specifically free news and articles, available regardless of geographic or socioeconomic factors – all in one app.

Hand-curated content Emre Cubukcu, Founder of Wiser have a similar view on algorithms. “Most content algorithms do one thing really well and that’s recommending you content which resembles what you have already seen. If you watch a video on interior design, the YouTube algorithm is super spot on in recommending you similar videos in that space. And the more you watch, the more precise, narrow, and focused it will get. The externality of such solutions is that, at one point, you stop discovering new things – they create filter bubbles, or ‘echo-chambers’ as we like to call them.” Emre goes on to explain that while algorithms will always be superior in recommending you content that’s similar to what you’ve seen before, the use of hand-curated content is not to recommend you similar content but to help you discover new areas and territories. “These are two solutions for two different use cases, and frankly, media needs both. I think that’s crucial to understand.”

Bringing a holistic, human-centred approach With its social curation platform for podcasts, videos, articles and audiobooks, Wiser has set out to solve the issue of filter bubbles. “We call it the intellectual Pinterest that gamifies intellectual progress. We bring a holistic, human-centred approach to content discovery

as opposed to algorithmic solutions that create echo chambers,” Emre says. On Wiser, you can discover curations created by friends, family, colleagues and particularly intellectual influencers referred to as “Wisers”. “One thing we discovered is that even people who know each other really well i.e. friends, partners, colleagues have very little or no insight on the other person’s media behaviour. Once you start diversifying the tools by which you discover content – through different people and curations – then you can break the bubble,” Emre explains.

Building ground-breaking AI Looking forward, both Emre and Theresa see great potential for their respective platforms.

“Our amazing development team are currently looking at building a groundbreaking AI that will allow us to burst the filter bubbles. Our app will be available for anyone to download and start using by end of July 2021, and by fall we’re launching our B2B platform as well as our web application”, Theresa says.

“We are on an invite-only Beta that’s been growing consistently 5-6% every week since March,” Emre says. Wiser is launching its full product in the UK this summer and Emre adds that more news is to come.

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FEATURE

BRAND AND MARKETING COMMUNICATION TRENDS IN SECOND HALF OF 2021:

Looking towards the ‘New Normal’ As we continue to make progress and return to a more familiar business environment, we know for sure, that it will never be like it was before the pandemic. We’ve all heard and seen how years of communication and collaboration progress have been achieved in months, so it is not surprising that brand communication is evolving too. How should we navigate through the second half of 2021 and beyond (pending any and all virus curveballs)? Here are five things to consider.

BY: ALEX HADDON

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1. THE CONTINUED RISE OF AUTHENTICITY

4. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

So many challenges have had to be faced in the last 15 months, with a great deal of uncertainty and constant movement of goal posts. Otherwise reliable services have come up short, yet there has been significant patience because brands were quick to say that it was not possible to deliver the service as usual.

This has created a new and lasting set of expectations for communication to be honest and clear. There’s no place to hide and people have come to expect and demand the truth from brands.

Moving forward, brands need to figure out how to keep this up without the backdrop of a pandemic. There is also a strong appetite for lagom – that little perfect Swedish word; not too little and definitely not too much. This aligns very well with being sustainable and taking a more measured approach to consuming. Proving your brand’s worth will reassure your audience that you are a sound investment.

Every trends review you read will include artificial intelligence (AI) as it is such a buzzword for business and brands. We already see AI widely used for personalisation and product recommendations, dynamic content creation and basic communication such as chatbots. As the technology becomes more sophisticated, it will enable brands to get deeper into machine learning and also become conversational – a big step forward in communicating your brand USPs. We should think creatively to work out how to make these opportunities be more ‘on brand’ and less generic, perhaps focusing on specific functions that really fit your brand rather than a scatter gun approach because the technology is available.

 2. ADAPTING TO HYBRID EVENTS Planning for events has been a real headache for most businesses during the pandemic. As we move forward, there is real growth in hybrid events that offer in person and virtual content simultaneously. To maximise this dual opportunity, the communication challenge is to market effectively with both versions appearing equally appealing, just different. The risks are that it is unclear what exactly is being offered and not showcasing the strengths of your event, you end up somewhere in between the two.

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 5. AND FINALLY, THE RETURN OF CHEEKY HUMOUR The UK market especially, really responds to humour in branding and marketing. As we start to live with more certainty, we will be open to, and respond well to, a more fun and perhaps cheeky tone of voice. This has long been used as a very effective brand differentiator for many brands. It grabs attention, creates a sense of surprise and displays a real confidence that is very attractive.

You can choose as and when to use humour, it does not have to be your primary tone of voice.

Success, as we move forward, will depend on not just your communication methods but also the timing and tone. The brands who read the room quickly and can act nimbly, will have a distinct advantage by creating opportunity to gain market share.

It’s also important that you get your strategy right and choose the right channels to focus on – better to do fewer brand and marketing activities and do them really well. Let key words such as quality, personalisation, trust and transparency be your guiding light.

3. FOCUS ON PEOPLE Visuals promoting togetherness will be popular as crowds won’t be seen as something scary, negative or irresponsible. There will be increased messaging encouraging us to be the best version of ourselves and to make the most out of all opportunities.

So, get personal with your look and feel – up close or using images of people enjoying being together. It’s not a bad idea to tap into that theme for your brand – after all, we are herd animals and coming together again will be one of the most enjoyable aspects we look forward to.

ABOUT ALEX HADDON Alex Haddon is the Managing & Creative Director of SCC member firm IC Design, a company she founded in 1998. Alex is passionate about integrating great design into all levels of communication and the positive impact this has on a commercial level. Alex is a member of the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK and chairs its Marketing Committee. She has also served as a business mentor in the SCC mentorship programme. Learn more at www.icdesign.co.uk

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114th annual general meeting

The SCC strengthens its board with eight new members at the 114th Annual General Meeting On June 3, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom (SCC) held its 114th Annual General Meeting (AGM), welcoming eight new members to its Board of Directors.

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CANDIDATES ELECTED TO THE SCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KATHERINE AINLEY CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland

DOMINIC FERNANDEZ-ARES Managing Director, Stena UK

VIVEKA HIRDMAN-RYRBERG Head of Corporate Communication & Sustainability, Investor AB

PETER JELKEBY Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland

LINDA GRIFFIN Co-Founder of the European Tech Alliance

ADAM MITTON Deputy Chief Legal Officer, King

CHRISTER GRUVRIS Director of Investor Relations, AstraZeneca

NICLAS NEGLÉN Chief Financial Officer, Klarna

“Today’s appointments are truly a testament to the diversity and strength of the Swedish-British business community. The elected board members are all esteemed and engaged business professionals representing a variety of sectors, complementing the board’s already strong composition. These board members represent employers of ca. 25,000 employees in the UK, which is fantastic. We look forward to working with all of them to continue establishing the Chamber as the ultimate platform for the Swedish-British community.”

Jan Olsson, Chairman, Swedish Chamber of Commerce

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE SCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RETIRING AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL The AGM saw the following retire as members of the Council

SUZANNE BOLINDER Founder and Managing Director, Consido

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MARIELLE LINDGREN Managing Director, Telco Industry EMEA, Google

LARS OLSSON General Manager, Stena Line

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114th annual general meeting

New cohort of scholars joins the SCC Scholarship Programme At its 114th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Swedish Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new cohort of young talents to the SCC Scholarship Programme, offering them the unique opportunity to join the Chamber for a full year in London – the world’s leading financial centre, and Europe’s business capital.

Dating back several decades, the SCC Scholarship Programme has served as a launchpad for many successful alumni careers. At the official scholarship ceremony for the 2021/22 programme, which took place at the AGM on 3 June, three scholarships were provided to talented and creative young professionals, offering them twelve months’ experience at the Chamber’s

MATHILDA KENNETT Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad ”I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Media, Communication and PR from Örebro University in Sweden. During my time at University I have conducted two significant internships, one at a large international communications agency in Stockholm and one summer internship at Sweden’s second largest newspaper. I have always been interested in an international career and my thirst for exciting new challenges is what lead me to apply for this scholarship. I believe the Swedish Chamber of Commerce is an ideal place for me to start off my career and I have no doubts that this upcoming year will give me invaluable experiences and memories that will stay with me forever. I really look forward to joining the Marketing and Communications Department, to learn from professionals, meeting lots of new inspiring people and to contribute to the work of the SCC.”

secretariat in London. The scholarships have been made available by partnerships with and generous donations from the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad, Sparbanksstiftelsen Finn Scholarship, and the SCC Scholarship, funded by its members.

MARTINA FALKENBERG Sparbanksstiftelsen Finn Scholarship

SARA ROLÉN The SCC Scholarship

”I am about to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Lund University where I have spent the last three years. I have a passion for planning and leading projects since I am very organised by nature, and this is something I hope to contribute to the Events and Programmes team. Before continuing with a master’s degree abroad, I want to gain more professional experience. I applied for this scholarship since I have always dreamt of an international career, and I look forward to be introduced to a professional environment abroad at SCC. I am confident that it will give me valuable life experiences for the future, both professionally and personally.”

I have recently completed my BSc in International Business at Copenhagen Business School. I have always had a strong interest in how both new and established firms expand internationally, and I applied to the scholarship since I believe that the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK is the perfect place to provide me with valuable knowledge and experience in how businesses operate across borders. I believe that joining the SCC and its network will be a great learning experience and steppingstone for the international career that I aspire for, and provide me with unique insights into different industries and firms. I am truly looking forward to start working with the Business Services team and the other departments at the SCC, to engage with and support businesses that operate in Sweden and the UK.

SCC ANNUAL REPORT 2020: SUMMARISING AN EVENTFUL AND GAME-CHANGING YEAR We can only summarise 20XX as an eventful and game-changing year. Two monumental and deeply impactful and structural changes swept over us simultaneously in the United Kingdom; with Britain’s long-awaited exit from the European Union and the Covid-19 pandemic. Emerging stronger became our unofficial theme of the year, as we engaged a greater audience from our membership than ever before. For us, it was a year of embracing agility, celebrating community and taking pride in the stability of the Chamber platform.

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FEATURE

How private equity is building agile and risk-resilient portfolios To survive a global recession and the shift to a remote work environment – all fueled by the pandemic – private equity investors have relied on a variety of tools to pivot their portfolio companies toward growth. “Private equity has rarely been in a better position resource-wise to support their portfolio. To build resilience, portfolio companies can gain an advantage of international expansion by testing new markets during global transactions,” says Charles H. Ferguson, General Manager Asia, at SCC member Globalization Partners.

BY: JONAS EKLUND

Globalization Partners’ full-stack global employment platform makes it simple and easy to hire a remote global team, without setting up branch offices or subsidiaries.

“We have our own business entities set up in nearly every country in the world meaning the legwork required for you to hire and manage international talent is already done. Our vision is a world where the best companies and brightest people can seamlessly collaborate, without regard to jurisdiction,” Charles explains.

Coming out stronger on the other side of the pandemic Charles says that private equity has rarely been in a better position resource-wise to support their portfolio. “According to a 2020 report from Preqin, PE was sitting on a record-setting US$1.46 trillion of dry powder, which was critical in drafting new strategies for their portfolio companies to come out on the other side of the pandemic stronger.” A recent report from investment manager firm

Alvarium Investments confirms the positive outlook, arguing that the private lending market is three times larger and more mature, compared to the 2008 crisis.

Building long-term resilience Due to the prevailing market conditions, organisations are forced to look beyond building strategically sound portfolios, and build longterm resilience to tackle uncertainties in the future. “A resilient portfolio will perform well across a range of different market conditions, giving the company the flexibility to change its strategic course depending on how critical events unfold.”

“Our vision is a world where the best companies and brightest people can seamlessly collaborate.”

Driving value through international expansion Private equity investors have several tools at hand to maintain market relevance of their portfolio companies. Apart from capital injection, restructuring process assistance, and technology deployment, one of the most effective ways to drive value to their portfolio companies is through international expansion.

“Portfolio companies can gain an advantage of international expansion by testing new markets during global transactions,” Charles says and continues: “By encouraging operating partners to go where the talent lives and expanding internationally, you will be broadening their choice of top candidates and potentially cutting their overheads with salaries in lower cost jurisdictions.”

Charles H. Ferguson, General Manager Asia, at Globalization Partners. Photo: Globalization Partners.

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Competitive advantages to international teams Charles argues that there are competitive advantages to having international teams.

“Non-homogenous teams are smarter and

give leadership visibility into unexplored markets. This may lead your portfolio companies to expand their client base and explore less costly talent hubs around the world rather than limiting hiring to a domestic market, both of which build versatility into their business.”

Opportunities in the wake of Brexit While businesses have been faced with many challenges in the wake of Brexit, the UK’s exit from the EU also can offer unique opportunities to PE firms looking to expand internationally. “Many companies reacted to the Brexit-imposed end to the freedom of movement, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, by freezing hiring. Private Equity firms now have an opportunity to inject capital into restaffing their portfolio companies, taking advantage of a larger-than-usual talent pool and diversifying geographically in the process.”

Remote-first mindset For investors, adopting and executing a remote-first mindset, and then impressing this on portfolio companies is crucial. According to Charles, the impact of Brexit may be mitigated if operating partners use the remote-first mindset, which was adopted by knowledge-based and financial companies in 2020, as a springboard to distant talent markets. “Building value into a company during crises is not a new concept. But intentionally widening the recruitment net to new markets might not have occurred to your portfolio companies, and they could be missing an opportunity.“

ABOUT CHARLES H. FERGUSON As General Manager and Head of Globalization Partners business in Asia, Charles is responsible for establishing scale and efficiency for the company’s business expansion in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.

Charles is an expert on the advisory and operating side of private equity and venture capital, with over a decade of experience building teams for PE and VC organisations, focused on defining their GTM strategy.

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IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Sir Roger Gifford, Honorary Vice President and former Chairman of the SCC, has passed away aged 65 The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom pays tribute to Sir Roger Gifford, one of the greatest champions of Swedish-British business relations, after his passing on 25 May. Gifford joined Swedish bank SEB in 1982, and was the head of SEB’s operations in the United Kingdom from 2000 until 2017, after which he stayed with the bank as Senior Banker. He became Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK in 2004, and was elected Honorary Vice President in 2018.

“The whole Swedish-British business community is saddened and shocked by the passing of Sir Roger Gifford. His contribution to our business community and bilateral relations was second to none. Roger was a figure-

head and a true champion of Swedish-British relations, in particular in all things green and sustainability. He will be deeply missed, and we will remember him with respect and fondness,” says Peter Sandberg, Managing Director.

such activities and pushed for the contribution of the financial sector to the G20 climate agenda. He headed the government’s Green Finance Taskforce, which recommended the creation of an institute to take on the work of the Green Finance Initiative in 2018, alongside boosting investment into innovative clean Sir Roger Gifford was the 685th Lord Mayor of technologies and issuing sovereign green London, elected in 2012, and was a passion- bonds. He also chaired the Green Finance ate advocate for green finance issues and Institute. climate-linked financial services. He was chair of the City of London’s Green Finance InitiaGifford was knighted in 2014 for services to tive, which championed the UK as a hub for international business, culture and the City.

Sir Roger Gifford was knighted in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to international business, culture and the city.

Elected in 2012, Sir Roger Gifford was the 685th Lord Mayor of London.

Sir Roger Gifford with Crown Princess Victoria and Ingvar Kamprad, Founder of IKEA, at the SCC’s centenary celebration, 2006.

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Business guides on setting up and running a business in the UK Together with experts in their respective fields, we bring you a series of business guides to help you with the essential steps to establish your business in the UK and the key considerations for successful business operations that will help your business to grow and develop. With the first guides focusing on the first steps into the UK market, the forthcoming themes will span from tax, accounting and law, to marketing, HR and cyber security.

REGISTERING WITH HMRC By: SCC and Entreprenör Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, HMRC, is a non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes, the payment of some forms of state support and the administration of other regulatory regimes. This brand new business guide will lead you through the vital considerations when registering your company with HMRC, including those regarding corporation tax, registering for and paying VAT, and registering your company as an employer.

DOWNLOAD THE SCC BUSINESS GUIDES All business guides can be downloaded at scc.org.uk

YEAR-END ACCOUNTING AND TAXATION

SIX STEPS TO GOOD BOOKKEEPING

By: SCC and Accountum

By: SCC and Merryhill

As a general rule, all UK registered companies and registered branches must file annual accounts and corporate tax returns for each financial period each year. This guide will go through the key requirements and processes to comply with the year-end filings at Companies House and HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”).

Every business makes financial transactions buying, selling, paying wages and these must be recorded in the accounts.

Each entry flows through to the tax returns and financial statements you have to prepare and file to stay legal.

Good bookkeeping keeps that running smoothly. This business guide, brought to you by the SCC in partnership with SCC member Merryhill, takes you through six fundamental steps to good bookkeeping.

MANAGING EMPLOYEES IN THE UK RELOCATING TO THE UK

By: SCC and Goodwille

By: SCC and Consido

Whether you are planning to register a UK entity or scale a team, employ directly into your AB entity, or transfer employees to the UK from overseas, you must take local laws and guidelines into consideration. UK employment law is different than in Sweden, and if you get it wrong it can be costly.

Home to some of the world’s top universities, art and entertainment and major international companies, London remains a very attractive location in which to invest, participate, learn, live and visit.

As a result, it’s one of the fastest moving and competitive property markets in the world, which means finding a property can be a stressful and intimidating experience. We hope that this guide will answer some of your questions and help you a bit on the way.

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GETTING A GRIP OF BRITISH BUSINESS CULTURE AND MEDIA By: SCC, Think Solutions UK and Deliberate PR Although Swedes are generally very well liked in the UK, we may assume we are more alike than we actually are.

This business guide leads you through the similarities and differences between Swedish and British business culture, as well as the pitfalls and how to avoid them.

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THE NEW UK IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS:

Companies often do not anticipate the time required for an immigration application to be processed Following the UK’s exit from the EU, a new immigration system has been introduced for working, living and studying in the UK. Whether you’re a startup, want to know what organisations to register with or how to recruit staff from overseas there are various immigration routes and visa alternatives to consider. Deirdre Murphy, Solicitor at SCC member firm North Star Law has the answers.

What do I as a UK employer need to consider when recruiting staff from overseas?

Timing is one of the main considerations at the outset. Companies often do not anticipate the time required for an immigration application to be prepared, submitted and processed.

Some applications can be expedited, but at an additional cost.

Also, consider the long-term plans for the employee. Are they needed in the UK on a temporary basis or permanently? The visa type will vary. There may be other solutions that do not require sponsorship, for example UK Ancestry. Therefore, the advice to UK employers is to start the visa process early and engage with your immigration provider to determine the best approach.

What does it mean to be a licensed sponsor?

The Home Office’s position is that holding a sponsor licence is a privilege, not a right.

Therefore, sponsors should take their responsibilities seriously. The licence will allow the company to sponsor foreign nationals to work in the UK, but it also comes with compliance obligations.

The compliance duties include having procedures in place to conduct the right to work checks and monitor sponsored workers. Failure to do so could result in the licence being revoked. Therefore, it is important for sponsors to identify any gaps in their systems and implement sufficiently robust procedures to ensure that the company is audit-ready at all times.

What are the most common visa options for employing from outside the UK, and what are the requirements?

For sponsored employees, the most common visa options are the Skilled Worker and IntraCompany.

A Skilled Worker visa can be used for individuals who have no prior experience with the company or for an existing employee. There must be a genuine job on offer in the UK, however the requirement to advertise the role and demonstrate that there are no suitable UK workers has been removed.

The role must meet certain salary thresholds – this will depend upon the job on offer. The job

must be at least RQF level 3, which is roughly equivalent to A-levels. There is an English language requirement and this visa route leads to permanent residence.

An Intra-Company visa is for employees of international companies who transfer to the UK on short-term assignments from a related company abroad. The employee usually must have worked for an affiliated company outside the UK for 12 months. The role must be at skill level RQF6 (degree level roles). Again, the minimum salary depends upon the role, but it will not be less than £41,500 per year.

What do you need to consider as a startup?

Companies that do not yet have an established presence and have not actively traded in the UK, have the option of sending one senior level employee to the UK as a sole representative, in order to set up the company. The next step is to obtain a sponsor licence, in order to recruit from abroad.

The Start-Up and Innovator visas are for individuals who wish to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. Another option is the Global Talent route, for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture and digital technology. Each situation must be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best option.

What are the fees involved and how long does the process normally take?

The fees will vary considerably depending on the visa type and duration. By way of example, a five-year Skilled Worker visa can incur fees of approximately £10,000. There may be additional costs, such as for an English language test or to expedite the visa application. If any family members accompany the main applicant, they would incur the visa and health surcharge fees.

The visa process timing will depend on where the application is being submitted and can range from 2-4 weeks.

 LIST OF THE UK GOVERNMENT VISA FILING FEES

Deirdre Murphy, Solicitor at North Star Law. Photo: North Star Law.

What organisations do I need to register with, as a new company in the UK? From an immigration perspective, start-up companies will need to submit documents to obtain a sponsor licence, including evidence of a corporate bank account in the UK. Additional documents can include a VAT registration certificate, employer’s liability certificate, HMRC registration letter, or lease of business premises. New companies should take steps to register as early as possible and obtain the required documents to ensure that the licence application can be submitted without delay.

What are your top tips to UK employers that are looking to recruit from overseas?

Start the process early, determine the longterm aims of the potential new hire, and consult an immigration provider to undertake an assessment and explore all potential options.

ABOUT Deirdre Murphy Deirdre Murphy, Solicitor at Noth Star Law, is a highly regarded immigration lawyer with extensive experience advising top-tier corporate clients on all aspects of UK business immigration law. She counselled clients through the complex process of Brexit, giving regular updates on the shifting timelines and requirements for foreign nationals to maintain legal status in the UK.

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previous events

EMERGING STRONGER VOL.4 19 MAY At the fourth volume of the Emerging Stronger series, we asked ourselves whether “it really takes a pandemic for us to accelerate innovation?”. The discussions featured Katarina Berg at Spotify, Johan Wibergh at Vodafone Group, and Rachel Samrén at Telia. The pandemic has caused an unprecedented adaption and development of new technological solutions, but innovation has always been accelerating at these tech giants.

According to these experts, one should never waste a good crisis. Sponsored by Handelsbanken plc.

Life SCIENCE 21 MAY In partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT), NHS, and the Embassy of Sweden, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK invited Swedish Life Science, Medtech and Digital Health companies to learn about the opportunities and challenges businesses currently face when entering the UK. Participants gained valuable insights into the healthcare landscape and got to listen in to Swedish success stories as they shared their first-hand experience of doing business in the UK.

Tony Young (NHS England), Craig Oates (Doctrin), Dag Larsson, (Doccla), Asif Dewan (Joint Academy), Caroline Mellstig Theimer (Zenicor Medical Systems), Dee Mathieson (Elekta).

Virtual Roundtable Feat. magdalena Gerger 26 MAY Named one of Sweden´s most influential directors and a successful business leader, Magdalena Gerger shared her thoughts on sustainable leadership and how it can create genuine trust reaching all stakeholders. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Systembolaget, Sweden’s government-owned monopoly retailer of alcoholic beverage, Magdalena shared her first-hand experiences of implementing a quadruple bottom line, emphasising the importance and value for all organisation to undertake this measure.

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previous EVENTS

TECH FORUM 10 June On 10 June, participants from across Europe tuned into the annual Tech Forum, with this year’s theme Towards an AI-Enabled Future, an afternoon filled with insights on AI and its revolutionary and transformational impact on all organisations, sectors, and society as a whole. Through panels, keynotes, and fireside chats with thought leaders from across the UK-Nordic tech ecosystem, participants learned about AI today as well as where it is taking us. Virtual venue host: SEB. Sponsored by: PocketLaw. Sponsors of the SCC Tech Week activities: Danske Bank and Goodwille.

Harry Rhys Davies (Greyparrot), Kye Andersson (AI Sweden), Simone Babb (Digital Catapult), Dimitri French (Amazon Web Services), Errol Koolmeister (H&M Group).

#ACCESSUK: LONDON BOOTCAMP 7-10 JUNE In collaboration with Startup Sweden, in partnership with the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket), the Embassy of Sweden and the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK kicked off #AccessUK with a four-day bootcamp. #AccessUK is an accelerator programme specially designed for Swedish tech businesses looking to build a presence and connection with London and the UK. The programme continues throughout the autumn with individually tailored coaching and personalised meetings with experts, partners and prospective clients.

Sponsors of the SCC Tech Week activities: Danske Bank and Goodwille.

NEW RELATIONSHIP ROUNDTABLE FEAT. ANNA STELLINGER 15 June Deputy Director General at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise Anna Stellinger, explored the road ahead in the New Relationship Roundtable series, sponsored by Danske Bank.

Anna addressed implementations of the new trade agreement and businesses’ standpoint. Leaders from large Swedish-British corporates shared and discussed their experiences of the new agreement, along with its opportunities and challenges.

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upcoming events

Upcoming events The SCC is offering a mix of virtual and inperson roundtables, forums and summits.

For our live events, the SCC is continually monitoring government and health guidelines to protect our team and our guests. Along with the venue provider, we want to provide a safe environment. Learn more at scc.org.uk/events

gether reaching the United Nations sustainable development goals. You will meet businesses making real impactful changes to their operations, business models being turned upside down, politicians and policy makers working alongside corporates, and the next generation entrepreneurs and ideas shaping our future.

Sponsored by SEB, SSAB, Vattenfall, Wastefront and White & Case.

of Saab Technologies UK, and board member of Saab Grintek Defence. Magnus started his career at Saab as a Gripen test pilot in 1999, after having spent more than a decade in the Swedish Air Force. He has since then held numerous country and regional managerial roles, including leading several international Gripen campaigns. In 2012, Magnus was appointed CEO of Saab South Africa and Saab Grintek Defence, and has since 2015 been the President of Saab for multiple international market areas.

Magnus is also council member of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in London.

Virtual Roundtable feat. Peter Cunnane, Director of International & National Initiatives, Innovate Finance Virtual Roundtable feat. Ed Vaizey, Chair, Digital Futures, and former Culture and Digital Minister

21 April | Virtual Welcome to this Virtual Roundtable discussion featuring Ed Vaizey, Chair of Digital Futures, and former Culture and Digital Minister, on diversity in the tech industry and why it is important for the future of organisations. Statistics show that 54% of the global workforce will require significant reskilling in technology moving forward, and at the same time there has been a 40% reduction of young people taking IT GCSE subjects in the UK since 2015. Digital Futures, a tech services and training company, was established in direct response for the need to improve diversity within the tech sector and to increase the level of digital skills within the wider UK economy.

28 September | Virtual Welcome to this Virtual Roundtable discussion Peter Cunnane, Director of International & National Initiatives at Innovate Finance, on the UK as a FinTech center, the latest innovations, and the future of the industry. Peter is the Director of International & National Initiatives at Innovate Finance, the industry body representing the UK FinTech sector.

Peter leads on developing Innovate Finance’s international and national initiatives, to support and promote UK FinTech, and the opportunities for our members to grow, by developing relationships with like-minded hubs across the UK and around the world. Peter also works alongside our Head of Government Affairs and Policy to ensure our international and national work reflects current political, public policy and regulatory priorities for the sector.

Nordic Private Equity Forum

21 October | White & Case, 5 Old Broad Street, London Welcome to the Private Equity Forum, discussing the year ahead for private equity activity in the Nordics; how the private equity markets will be affected and where we find the future opportunities in the Nordics. Bringing together stakeholders from the Nordic and UK-based asset management communities, from fund managers to banks, investors and advisory firms, the forum is a great way to connect with the Nordic PE ecosystem.

Swedish-British Summit 2021: Outer Thinking

Impact 2021

23 September | Fitzroy, 1-8 Russell Square, London With growing calls for a green recovery and societal acceleration in fighting climate change – business, policy makers and consumers need to walk hand in hand. Join us at Impact 2021 to hone in on the key issues and solutions in helping us reduce our footprint, and to-

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Virtual Roundtable feat. Magnus Lewis-Olsson, Chairman and President, Saab UK 6 October | Virtual Welcome to this Virtual Roundtable featuring Magnus Lewis-Olsson, Chairman and President at Saab UK, on the future of the international defence industry. Leading the Swedish defence and security giant, Magnus LewisOlsson is the President of Saab UK, Chairman

2 December | Nobu Hotel London In a world where brands and businesses, business models and processes are constantly challenged and disrupted at a rapid pace, what makes good, sustainable and successful leadership? At this full-day conference we will be discussing the key trends facing any business today – from artificial intelligence to sustainability and continuous learning – and looking forward to the business of tomorrow. Join some of the greatest thinkers on both sides of the North Sea, and discuss 21st century leadership. Sponsored by AstraZeneca, IKEA, Kindred, Saab, Trustly and ZYN.

2021

1906 Annual

Christmas Luncheon E LANDMARK TH

2 December | 25+ speakers | Nobu Hotel London

3 December | The Landmark, London

This is Outer Thinking

Largest luncheon of its kind outside of Sweden

The world is facing some fundamental challenges, from disruptions lead by the technological revolution, to climate change and a workforce with new conditions to relate to. At the SwedishBritish Summit 2021 we look at our joint future ahead, the challenges, and how we can learn from each other. “Outer Thinking” is about 21st century leadership, bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and academics from both Sweden and the United Kingdom, to address the greater trends facing us, from tech to climate change, the future workforce or global trade.

The Swedish Chamber’s Christmas Luncheon has a long history dating back over a century. Today, it is the pinnacle of the business calendar, bringing together business people from across the Swedish-British community and is the largest luncheon of its kind outside of Sweden. The Luncheon will feature a traditional Lucia procession, a grand charity raffle, first-class entertainment, great company, and unique networking opportunities. To make it even better, the Luncheon is followed by an after-party that will keep the festivities going.

Hélène Barnekow CEO, Microsoft Sweden

Leif Johansson Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, AstraZeneca

Jan-Olof Jacke Director General, Swedish Enterprise

Darja Isaksson Director General, Vinnova

Micael Johansson President & CEO, Saab

Jens Henriksson President and CEO, Swedbank

Jamie Driscoll Mayor of the North of Tyne

Andrew Bowie MP and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party

Åsa Tamsons Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Technologies & New Businesses, Ericsson

Sponsor

For prices and booking information, please visit scc.org.uk

Sponsors

Swedish-British Summit and Annual Christmas Luncheon Package The Swedish-British Summit takes place the day before the Annual Christmas Luncheon. Why not book a package and attend both events? Contact events@scc.org.uk to book a package.

In partnership with

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IN OTHER NEWS

Last chance to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme The deadline on 30 June 2021 for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is fast approaching. All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, should apply without delay so that they can continue to work, study, and access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June. As an employer, you can play a role by reminding your employees of the approaching deadline.

The UK government has made available an employer toolkit with all the information needed to support EU citizens to apply. You will not need to carry out retrospective Right to Work Checks on existing employees after the deadline. However, from 1 July, new EU, EEA and Swiss employees that you hire will need to demonstrate their right to work, either with the pre-settled or settled status, or with a visa under the points-based immigration system.

Photo: Tipser

Tipser lands partnership with Bustle Digital Group Digital publisher Bustle Digital Group takes help from SCC member and London Bootcamp alumn Tipser to tie content and commerce closer together. Using Tipser’s e-commerce checkout platform, BDG will be aiming to give readers the ability to check out from as many brands and retailers as they want in one transaction at the end, without having to leave Bustle’s site.

Starting 17 December 2021, SCC patron SAS will be operating a seasonal route with non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Luleå in Sweden. Flights will be operating twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, until 21 March 2022. “Interest in Northern Scandinavia is continuously increasing as travellers seek new and more experiences in the nature. Several tour operators and travel agents have already expressed interest in the new route,” says Theres Briger, Head of Sales Sweden at SAS, in a statement.

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Datscha introduces new look to its property research platform SCC member Datscha, a leading provider of web-based services for information and analysis of commercial real estate in the Swedish, Finnish and UK real estate markets, has launched a new look and design to its website and Datscha platform. The company was acquired by Real Capital Analytics (RCA) in 2019 and the update also entails combining Datscha’s technological skills in linking complex public and private datasets with RCA’s global reach across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, to facilitate increased market transparency.

Gunnebo Entrance Control launches office security gate monitoring app

Photo: SAS

SAS introduces new nonstop route between Luleå and London

Photo: Datscha

Photo: BillerudKorsnäs

BillerudKorsnäs enables transition from plastic to paper with new SWAPP® concept SCC member BillerudKorsnäs is introducing a range of fibre-based packaging materials to enable transition from plastic to paper and meet new consumer demands through better sustainability performance. The company describes the concept SWAPP® as a collaborative and seamless process where the BillerudKorsnäs guides brand owners and retailers through the transformation towards sustainable paper packaging solutions. “With the SWAPP® offering BillerudKorsnäs provides sustainable paper alternatives to resolve some of the most imminent challenges: driving plastic reduction, CO2 reduction, and increasing recycling rates”, says Patrik Bosander, Director Packaging Solutions at BillerudKorsnäs.

SCC patron Gunnebo Entrance Control recently launched EntraLinq, a new software as a service (SaaS) application providing remote monitoring and control of office building accesses. The app connects to Gunnebo speed gates and serves as a decision-making support tool for managing people flow, maintenance and security as efficiently as possible. “This is a game-changer for the market. Our gates have become more and more intelligent and connected; it is now time to harness the potential of the data they generate into intuitively designed applications that support our customers’ processes,” said Henrik Lång, Product Manager, at Gunnebo Entrance Control in a statement.

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Icomera introduces 5Genabled mobile gateway for faster connectivity on trains SCC member Icomera has introduced a new 5G-enabled mobile connectivity and applications gateway called X5, specifically designed for rail applications. Icomera’s connectivity platform uses external antennas to connect to all available networks along the route. This method offers faster, more stable connectivity than having onboard devices connect directly to cellular networks along the route. The X5 gives vehicle manufacturers and operators access to Icomera’s advanced X-Series platform, supporting multiple, resource-intensive applications such as passenger Wi-Fi, infotainment, system monitoring and real-time video surveillance simultaneously as part of a single solution.

UK economy on its way back New report from Klarna: to recovery UK consumers see a bright In April, the UK economy grew by 2.3 per cent financial future following the easing of Covid-19 lockdown and thereby states a GDP increase for the third month in a row. April’s figures also showed the fastest rate of growth since July 2020.

With the reopening of non-essential stores, the retail sales have grown substantially and bookings for caravan parks and holiday lets have increased. The reopening of hospitality venues outdoors also lifted spending in pubs, bars and restaurants. However, the economy is still about 4% below its pre-pandemic level and more concerns are rising about the Delta variant. Although, the chancellor of The Office for National Statistics (ONS), Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, said these latest figures show ”a promising sign that our economy is beginning to recover”.

Vaimo teams up with Moomin to create seamless customer experiences The renowned Moomin brand has partnered with SCC member Vaimo to integrate its product information management solution, cloud-based checkout system, and CRM, to provide a seamless customer experience. This step is part of Moomin’s strategy to merge its e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores into a single unified experience. “It’s very important for us to manage our own retail business because it creates a physical place for fans to interact with the brand, and we want them to have a similar experience whether they shop online or in our official stores,” commented Jonas Forth, Head of Digital, Moomin Character and Manager Director, All Things Commerce, in a statement.

Nobia reaches top position in climate target rating SCC member Nobia has set scientific climate targets to reduce emissions from its operations and value chain - an initiative that has placed the company in the top of the Haga Initiative’s annual “Ambitions Index” ranking. The Haga Initiative, a business network striving to reduce businesses’ climate impact, recognized Nobia, together with 37 other listed companies, for its commitment to contribute to the targets in the Paris Agreement, and keeping global warming below +1.5°C.

IN OTHER NEWS

SCC patron Klarna recently released the first in an ongoing series of quarterly reports on global personal finance trends. The report looks into personal finance behaviour and future expectations and even though there has been a tough financial year due to the pandemic, over a third of UK consumers think they will be better off financially a year from now. “As lockdown restrictions lift and the vaccination rollout continues at pace, UK consumers have a positive outlook for their personal finances, especially the younger generations. Heading into the summer, the future is also bright for key retail and hospitality industries who are finally able to throw open their doors to welcome back customers in increasing numbers”, says Alex Marsh, Head of Klarna UK.

Saab pioneers remote digital air traffic control

Photo: Securitas

Securitas aims for more inclusion - introduces disability passports SCC patron Securitas becomes the first security employer to introduce disability passports to its employees. The passports are developed by GMB and the TUC with the purpose to remove stress and uncertainty that many disabled workers face around reasonable adjustments.

“The disability passport will help us make sure we make any reasonable adjustments an employee may need in the workplace environment, whether it be removing physical barriers or providing additional support”, says Sarah Hayes, HR Director, Securitas Security Services UK. ”GMB commends Securitas for making this potentially life changing commitment for their disabled staff. Disabled workers want the opportunity to thrive in the workplace - not just survive and we believe this short policy will go a long way in achieving this”, says Nell Andrew, GMB National Equality and Inclusion Officer.

Through technology pioneered by SCC patron Saab and its Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS), London City Airport became earlier this year the first major international airport in the world to be fully controlled by a remote digital air traffic control tower. Following London, a new control centre for remote air traffic started its operations at Stockholm Arlanda Airport on 1 June. The tower at Arlanda will initially manage the air traffic for Swedavia’s Kiruna Airport which is located in the north of Sweden. “We see that more and more airports are choosing to take the step towards remote air traffic control, thereby creating greater accessibility and flexibility. With Kiruna Airport and the new centre in Stockholm, both the technology and the operation of remote air traffic control have matured and are ready for all types of airports. This could not have been accomplished without close cooperation between LFV, Swedavia and SDATS,” says Per Ahl, CEO of SDATS.

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IN OTHER NEWS

Rules for cross-border VAT e-commerce are changing in the EU

Photo: Confederation of Swedish Enterprise

A Trade Policy Roadmap – Sweden, EU and the UK The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and the Institute of Directors have commissioned a new report to help identify and coordinate trade policy decisions between Sweden, the EU and the UK after Brexit. Six concrete proposals are presented for where there is joint interest for trade policy coordination or cooperation. For example, safeguarding and developing open global trade in the context of rising geopolitical tensions and protectionist measures, as well as to develop trade strategies and multilateral trade rules to be fit for purpose for key drivers such as the ongoing transitions within sustainability and digitalization.

Swedbank invests in digital savings platform for SMEs SCC patron Swedbank has decided to make a large investment in a digital infrastructure that will benefit the financial health of all private customers and SMEs in Sweden. The platform is the largest investment in digital infrastructure in the bank’s history and is part of a long-term focus by Swedbank and the savings banks. The new platform will provide support with continuous and personalized advice as well as create opportunities for new savings and investments services. “Swedbank will speed up the further development of digital solutions and self-service functions where suitable in order to at the same time give customers more time for advanced advice based on their needs, wishes and personal situation. All to simplify our customers’ financial lives and ensure their financial health”, says Kerstin Winlöf, Head of Group Financial Products & Advice at Swedbank.

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The EU announces that new VAT rules for e-commerce are being established from 1 July 2021. The changes focus on cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities with the rationale to facilitate crossborder online sales as well as to address challenges arising from the VAT regimes for distance sales of goods and for the importation of low value consignments. The changes affect issues such as registration, thresholds, provisions, record keeping requirements, VAT exemptions and special arrangements.

Photo: GO Sport Travel

GO Sport Travel acquires operation in London Tour operator and SCC member GO Sport Travel, based in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, is now establishing a London operation. The company recently announced its acquisition of Twist & Shout Sports and Events, the London-based sports and events focussed DMC. GO Sport Travel is a leading player in Scandinavia with its focus on the Premier League and football travel and can now, through Twist & Shout, offer a closer physical presence to their customers who frequently visit London. With its focus on Premier League and football travel, this is a strategic development for Go Sport Travel, giving the opportunity to offer customers an even greater level of service in the UK. “The timing of this development ahead of the upcoming football season gives us a real boost,” says the company’s CEO, Per Gavelius, in a statement.

Image: Hausfeld

Hausfeld reveals new visual brand To better communicate its pioneering, unconventional, pragmatic, tenacious and bold values, SCC member and law firm Hausfeld has partnered with brand agency Living to create a new visual look. Hausfeld has made a growth journey from 1 office with 17 lawyers to 12 offices with 250+ lawyers and recognised that with such a big expansion it is very important to be clear and concise about the values the company brings, both internally and externally. The new visual brand will reflect the true personality of Hausfeld as a company and communicate who they are, what they do and why that matters – not only through words but visually as well.

Fogel & Partners and Levels Group join forces to launch new company Strategic communications firm and SCC member Fogel & Partners, has come together with the digital design and development venture partner Levels Group in the founding of the new company LDC. As an independent company, LDC is going in with the mission to deliver next-generation products and solutions for digital corporate communication allowing companies to efficiently target stakeholders. “LDC facilitates digital corporate communication transformation by offering innovative, yet easy-to-handle products, for our clients. To me, that is both meaningful and exciting. I look forward, together with our team of engineers, creatives and strategists, to support the corporate community through the ever-changing digital landscape” says Joakim Nilehn, CEO of LDC.

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Lundin Energy makes firstever certified carbon-neutral crude sale SCC member Lundin Energy writes history by making the first-ever certified carbon-neutral crude oil sale. The Norway-focused company made a 600,000 barrel sale of Edvard Grieg crude oil to Italian refiner Saras which was certified carbon-neutral by certification company Intertek, taking into account all “life of field” emissions, from exploration through to development and production. “We were the first company to have one of its field’s carbon emissions independently certified as low-carbon, and this certified carbon neutral transaction with Saras is the next stage in what we believe will become a key value differentiator for Lundin Energy,” says CEO Nick Walker.

IN OTHER NEWS

H.E. Torbjörn Sohlström steps down as the Swedish Ambassador to the United Kingdom H.E. Torbjörn Sohlström will be stepping down from his role as Swedish Ambassador to the UK this summer, after five years in duty. We had a chat with the Ambassador about his impressions from his time in duty and his view on the future relationship between Sweden and the UK. What are the most prominent impressions from your time as Ambassador?

I have really enjoyed living in London, and so has my family.

I have liked walking through the city, watching our children play football in Regent’s Park and going to the theatre. We have also travelled to every corner of the UK, from Cornwall to the Hebrides, and only the pandemic forced me to abandon the plan to visit every single historical county of the UK before heading back to Sweden.

In terms of work, my time in the UK has of course been heavily influenced by Brexit and Covid, and both Photo: Embassy of Sweden. of these experiences will remain with me just as they will for everyone who has lived in this country for the last five years.

Some of it has made my job more interesting, but it has also made it much more difficult for the embassy. I would have preferred a more normal time.

KRY/Livi becomes a Unicorn Digital healthcare service and SCC member KRY, operating under the brand Livi in the UK and France, is now classed as a Unicorn.

Earlier this spring, the company raised EUR 262 million, equivalent to GBP 225 million and SEK 2,65 billion, in new capital to finance an expansion to even more countries in Europe.

In just one year, the company’s valuation has thus doubled - to approximately SEK 17 billion.

“This clearly shows that the market sees that we lead the development by focusing on the patient’s needs and combining medical expertise with technology and innovation. As a partner for both public care and healthcare staff around Europe, we will now continue to offer both digital solutions and accessible good care “, says Johannes Schildt, CEO of KRY.

The strongest impression, and the greatest joy, has perhaps been meeting all Swedes and Swedish businesses in the UK. I have often been impressed; and as I have travelled around the country I have realised that there is always a compatriot around, living or working somewhere, whether in Buckingham Palace or in a remote town in the Orkney Islands. Often, there is also a Swedish company, providing jobs and contributing to the economy. It is me who has had the formal role as Ambassador, but the best representatives of Sweden are actually all the members of the broader Swedish community.

What is your view on the relationship between Sweden and the UK, and how it could evolve going forward?

We have a very strong relationship. We are likeminded, with similar values. We cooperate in many political areas. We trade. We admire each other’s murders on TV. I am convinced that all of that will continue.

Brexit does, however, mean a change. The UK chose to leave the European Union, and an element of friction has been introduced, not least in terms of migration and trade. We hope that this friction can be kept to a minimum, through close co-operation between the EU and the UK and close bilateral ties with Sweden. I know that we will do our best on the Swedish side; and I know that the Swedish Chamber will be an important partner in this work.

What are your plans next?

I am returning to Stockholm with my family. We will however use every excuse to visit the UK also in the future; and I am already now thinking how great it would be to do what you are not supposed to do in the foreign service: to apply for the same ambassadorship twice.

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Nytt i kyrkan Café Nu är vårt inomhuscafé öppet igen! Öppettider måndag, tisdag, torsdag, fredag 11.00-16.00 onsdag 13.00-16.00

Gudstjänst Från och med 23 maj är gudstjänsterna öppna igen på söndagar kl 11.00. Observera att anmälan är ett måste.

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GUEST COLUMN

Cities will be back after the pandemic The current pandemic has sparked a new wave of gloomy predictions for the long-term prospects of large cities. Many believe that we will find a new balance with urban labour markets becoming less important as people successfully work from their gardens and summer cottages. These claims are likely exaggerated. The truth is that if cities were not so tremendously productive, markets would have broken them a long time ago.

JOHAN P LARSSON, LECTURER IN ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC POLICY, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, DEPARTMENT OF LAND ECONOMY

working from home? Second, can remote working replace the wider productivity benefits of working in large cities?

About question one – how good are we at this remote thing? – the evidence is coming in right now, and thus far it is not good. In a new working paper, Michael Gibbs, Friederike Mengel, and Christoph Siemroth exploit a goldmine of data to analyze this issue. The authors have access to refined productivity statistics on Johan P Larsson. Photo: Private. over 10,000 skilled professionals in an Asian IT firm. More importantly: the data span the time Some people enjoy working from home, at before and after the pandemic. The results? least some of the time. It also seems that emProduction remained largely flat after people ployers do not mind, at least for as long as outstarted working from home, while productivity put does not suffer. For instance, a survey by decreased dramatically. People worked 30 per the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce showed cent longer hours to be able to keep up with that employers and employees alike seem to their workload. Could it be that those pushing think that three days per week of actual office the narrative that more people should work work is just the right amount. from home is a rather small, suburban group, presumably with comfortable home offices?

But the more long-term question is not what employers or employees want. The question is The second question, about the wider prowhat markets can bear. What we must rememductivity benefits of cities, relates to what ber is that the technologies we use to work economists call spillovers. When Mohammad from home have been around for a long time.

Arzaghi and J Vernon Henderson analysed If we can indeed effectively work from outside advertisement firms on Madison Avenue on the office, then we must also ask ourselves: Manhattan, they showed that location is imjust how do firms get away with paying innermensely important for how well a knowledgecity rents if there is an option that obvious? If intensive business manages to capitalize on workers can be spread out around the country its networks. Location is not just a factor. It is and live cheaper and with more space, while the factor. When networks truly matter, firms firms can cut rent costs, then how come urban that misallocate even by a few blocks struggle employers have not already been outcompeted to keep up with the competition. Together with as city rents and wages soared over the past my colleagues Martin Andersson and Johan century? This reasoning raises two important Klaesson, I have showed evidence consistent questions. First, are we really that good at

with similar neighbourhood effects in a wide range of industries and occupations. The more knowledge-intensive the work tasks, the more important are the spillovers. About the longterm consequences we can only speculate.

But it is reasonable to believe that absence of city-life and ‘local buzz’ will be visible in the long-term data on innovation. The type of serendipitous moments that spark that next great idea are simply less likely to happen from behind a webcam.

The battle testing enforced by international markets and competition has a way of weeding out the bad ideas in the most brutal fashion. Dealing with a pandemic will be no different. In a word, what cities do best is learning. And while we are not entirely sure what we are to learn from the pandemic, what we do know is that we will be one experience richer, and that some cities will learn how to deal with these problems better than others.

When the productivity statistics are in, we will know who they are.

ABOUT Johan p Larsson Johan P Larsson holds a PhD from Jönköping University and is a Lecturer in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Cambridge.

Johan’s research includes policy, entrepreneurship and economic microgeographies and has published several research papers on these topics.

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New Members

NEW MEMBERS

THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS PLATFORM The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK is the ultimate business platform for Swedish and UK businesses, representing some 400 companies from across all sectors and industries, and from start-ups, SMEs, unicorns to large corporations. Membership comes with a suite of benefits for you, your colleagues and your business. If you would like to find out how you can maximise your membership, or to enquire about joining, please do get in touch at membership@scc.org.uk. But first, a warm welcome to our newest members.

MALIN-DARLIN Based in London, made in Nepal, inspired by Sweden. Malin-Darlin is a sustainable women’s cashmere knitwear brand, lovingly designed to embrace the fun in life. Its style transcends seasons and age, bringing women together through bright, bold and playful motifs. Malin-Darlin goes beyond fashion trends to create unique pieces that are made to last - where each design tells a story.

reguity

MINDLER Mindler is a digital healthcare provider, offering therapy via video calls with its highly trained psychologists and access to specially designed iCBT programmes. You can choose who you would like to speak to and can carry out your treatment from the comfort of your own home.

Use promo code: MindlerUK for a complimentary first session. www.mindler.co.uk/chamberofcommerce

group

REGUITY Reguity secures private equity and enables financial services to privately held companies and their investors. Through its online share ledger platform, changes in ownership are settled.

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KEYSTONE LAW Established in 2002, Keystone Law is a full-service law firm with over 400 partner-level solicitors who have previously trained and worked at the country’s most respected law firms. In November 2020, the firm was named law firm of the year at the prestigious Lawyer Awards, the ultimate accolade in the legal industry.

SHARKMOB Sharkmob is a game development company with studios in Malmö and London. The company believes that healthy and fun-loving teams make entertaining games, so above all else, Sharkmob is a creative workplace defined by true ownership and passion.

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New Members

41% 2020

86%

27% 2019

12% 2018

 A HAPPY MEMBERSHIP 86% of members rate the overall value of the SCC membership as either high or very high, according to the latest member survey – up by 6% since 2019.

VERY VALUABLE TO MEMBERS We see a move in members rating the membership as ‘very valuable’ from 12% in 2018, to 27% in 2019 and 41% in 2020.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY Learn more about the SCC membership and how it can bring value to your business by visiting www.scc.org.uk.

TEPE ORAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS TePe Oral Hygiene Products develops solutions for good oral health and hygiene, from the first tooth, then throughout a person’s life. As the scientific support for a connection between oral and general health grows stronger, TePe aims to create positive change in behaviours with patients, backed up by its own deep clinical knowledge and through partnerships with leaders in the dental industry internationally.

THE INTREPID COLLECTIVE Bringing its clients’ visions to life, The Intrepid Collective specialise in event management, production, content strategy and programme curation. The company delivers experiential audience development initiatives, placemaking and engagement programmes. These compelling events connect its clients more effectively with audiences, communities, customers and employees. The company’s strategies provide exciting, creative and commercial opportunities for growth.

TYRÉNS Tyréns is one of Sweden’s leading community development consultancies. Together with their customers and partners, the company creates sustainable solutions in urban development and infrastructure. Tyréns has 2 700 employees across its operations in Sweden, Denmark, the UK, Lithuania and Estonia.

WHYRE VENTURES Whyre Ventures is a global team and network of advisors, growth consultants, fundraisers and business developers – working with startups, scale-ups, incubators, accelerators, venture, finance, emerging cultural brands and creative industry rightsholders. Whyre Ventures’ head offices are in London, UK and Malmö, Sweden.

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GREGOR CRAIG PRESIDENT & CEO OF SKANSKA UK SCC patron Skanska is among the largest Swedish employers in the UK and has in a relatively short time established itself as one of the top construction companies in the country. Gregor Craig, President and CEO of Skanska UK, leads us through the company’s most immediate challenges of bringing people back to a ‘new normal’, the misperceptions of the industry, and how Skanska is changing industry standards in areas such as health and safety, as well as taking the lead in the decarbonisation of the industry.

BY: JONAS EKLUND

“I have probably had a few careers actually,“ Greg says when asked to recap his professional accomplishments throughout the years. He started his career in the construction industry “before the days of mobile phones”, as he puts it, with a commercial role as a Quantity Surveyor. “I did various commercial roles, but always based on site, which was important to me. I wanted to see visually what I was working on. That was one of the things that really attracted me to the industry.”

When Greg decided to do an MBA around the year 2000, it was a flag to his organisation that he was thinking a little bit wider than just commercial roles. “Fairly soon after that, I was offered the Operations Director role.”

In 2003, he joined Skanska UK where he held several senior positions including the role of Managing Director in the infrastructure sector, until he was appointed President and CEO in 2017. “For me, this sort of leadership role can be described as yet a different career. I have been really fortunate.”

Big player in the UK Skanska UK is one of the country’s top construction companies. Established in the UK in 2000, the company today employs around 3,300 people and is known for working on major projects such as HS2 – the UK’s new high-speed railway – just to name one. “The UK is quite different to some of our other markets, primarily because of the phenomenal amounts of competition that there is in the UK,” Greg explains. “Skanska is for instance one of the top three in Sweden. In the UK, we are a big player, and we have a very strong reputation, but you would probably say we are in the top ten. To give you a feel for the competitiveness on the market, there are about 60,000 construction companies in the UK.” Sticking to what it knows best Unlike other businesses in the industry that diversify into areas such as telecoms or shipbuilding, Skanska sticks to what it knows best – construction and development – a trait that attracted Greg to join the company in first place. “One of the things I really like about Skanska is its focus on construction and development, which means that the people at the top really understands the business. This is our market penetration strategy – we try to

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maximise those sectors that we have known for years. Another thing that is incredibly important to us is that we are very transparent and honest. I think this is what customers really value about Skanska.”

Passionate about the people When we ask Greg about the best part of his job, it is evident that he is passionate about the people that comprise the industry.

“In the construction industry, there are so many different roles. You come across so many different people, all of them with quite fascinating backgrounds. This is one really important part to me, that keeps it really alive and keeps me energised.” Also, the visible and tangible aspect, where you can see and touch what is being built, is still as important to Greg as when he first joined the construction industry. He describes a project where a 1200 tonne, 72m-long bridge structure was slid into place above one of the busiest roads going into London on the weekend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s royal wedding in Spring 2011. “To pull something like that, land it into position, and to do that with millimetre accuracy, is just the most incredible feat of planning and engineering.

When you see things like that being done, it is just incredible.”

Building for a better society ‘Building for a better society’ is a phrase that is used within the organisation to describe what Skanska actually does, and according to Greg, it is one of the things that sets Skanska apart from the rest. “Yes, building is at the heart of what we do, but we are very conscious of the society and respectful of the community within which we are doing our work. We are always alongside people, sometimes with big heavy equipment, and sometimes making noise. We need to be very respectful of the communities, otherwise it becomes a problem for them. We are also very conscious of the much wider aspects of society, particularly the environmental and sustainability aspects.”

Sharing knowledge across the group According to Greg, the UK construction market is probably one of the most mature markets in terms of the processes that are used. “The construction market has been around for a very long time,” Greg explains.

“We have probably some of the very lat-

est thinking in terms of construction in the world.“ These conditions have proven to be a hotbed for innovation, and ideas generated through different projects are being passed on and shared across the group. “We have been doing two-stage contracting for a very long time. We are now into highly collaborative models of contracting, frameworks, and alliances. These are models that tend to come out in the UK first, that eventually will spread to other parts of Skanska. The UK has quite a lot to offer in terms of the learnings that we have achieved from these new models.”

The fact that Skanska is a global company is a competitive advantage in the UK market.

“Most of our tier-one competitors, as we refer to them in the industry, don’t have a global parent. We try to strengthen our linkage and knowledge transfer between the business units in each country as much as possible. If we have solved a problem in one place of the group, we make sure the rest of the group knows about it.”

Front of the pack Skanska UK is seen as in the front of the pack in terms of leading in health and safety, not

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“As construction companies, we should be reporting not only on our own emissions, but actually the emissions of all of the projects that we are creating.”

Gregor Craig, CEO & President of Skanska UK. Photos: Renz Andres.

only within the group but also in the industry.

Greg elaborates by sharing an initiative that involved the bucket on the front of an excavator, which can be very large and heavy. “The industry had been having problems for years with the fact that occasionally the bucket fell off. We just decided that this is ridiculous and took a stand in the industry. We banned the current way of fixing these buckets to machines and went to only use machines that have what they call a fully automatic quick hitch. We persuaded our supply chain and then the rest of the industry followed our lead as well.”

Taking full responsibility The company is sticking its head above the parapet in other areas too, such as environment and sustainability. “In 2019, we brought out a report on decarbonisation. We said that it is wrong for companies to just be reporting on their own emissions. As construction companies, we should be reporting not only on our own emissions, but actually the emissions of all of the projects that we are creating, because that is something that we can influence.” Greg says that unless the totality of what can be influenced is recognised, the plan to decarbonise will not be worthwhile.

“Even though it made our emissions seem about 10 to 12 times higher than others, we believe this is the right thing to do.”

“For several years, we have also put our head above the fence in terms of inclusion and diversity. There is some great work going on in

the UK and we are able to benefit the rest of the group with some of that thinking as well.”

Defining the new normal During the pandemic, people’s safety has been the top priority for Skanska. Now, as society is opening up, it is all about bringing people back into a ‘new normal’. “We have a full range of people, from some that are banging on the front door and would like to get in to the office right away, through to some that are probably quite scared either about their journey into work or what it is going to be like when they are at work,” Greg says. “The pandemic has been the most terrible tragedy, but we have already created some opportunities. For example, this massive experiment in terms of a large number of people working from home – we solved that one. Now, how do we take that forward and take at least the best out of a bad situation. We have already introduced flexible working, but now it is about getting to the optimum situation going forward.”

An industry bouncing back According to Greg, the construction industry has bounced back much faster than people have realised, and that the UK government recognises the importance of the industry for the recovery of the economy. “The construction industry is at the heart of some of the opportunities that the government is creating for us. It is continuing a very strong and consistent investment in the industry, which is great for us. Since January, we are also

seeing commercial offices and industrial buildings starting to accelerate, so there are huge opportunities in our industry.”

Misperceptions about the industry The construction industry might have a reputation of being traditional and old-fashioned, but Greg says that people will be amazed as to how modern the industry actually is.

“There are some huge misperceptions about the construction industry. People would probably be surprised that the industry has plenty of graphic designers, we have data analysts, and for those young people that are looking to get into the industry, we also have expert drone operators. Creating digital models of roads or buildings used to take us days and days, and today, our drone operators solve it in a matter of hours.”

Fortunate being part of the construction industry Rounding up the interview, Greg reflects upon his career, his choice of studies at university and how he learned about the construction industry almost by mere chance. “I had probably a huge dose of luck in bumping into someone that did actually tell me about the construction industry. Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate with the sort of opportunities that large organisations can give you. Throw in two or three really great bosses that push you and give you those opportunities – I have been very fortunate indeed.“

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