Latest News

Successful charity dinner for Warchild

28/11/2018

On Tuesday 27 November, Region South arranged a charity dinner in cooperation with War Child Sweden at Michelin star restaurant Bloom in the Park in Malmö. The aim was to raise money for the projects run by War Child.

The event was attended by 26 people, both members of the Dutch Chamber, as well as representatives from War Child and executives from regional businesses.
Among the guests were ambassador Henk Swarttouw with his wife Sara as well as the new Honorary Council Kerstin Lindell.
During the event, Henk van Dieren and Göran Pålsson from Samskip Van Dieren handed over a cheque to sponsor Warchild even more.
Furthermore, a beautiful painting by Dutch artist Annetje van der Sluis was auctioned out and this further added to the funds we were able to donate to War Child.
A wonderful dinner and superb networking in a great atmosphere - with a higher purpose - turned out to be very successful!

/Ann-Nina Finne

Member in the spotlight: Eversheds Sutherland

27/11/2018

Eversheds Sutherland Advokatbyrå joined the Dutch chamber as one of our corporate members last year. We have asked Gabriel Albemark, Managing Partner, to give us a short introduction of this international law firm.

"Eversheds Sutherland is one of the leading international law firms with ca 3,500 lawyers of which ca 700 partners.
With 66 offices across 32 countries worldwide, we deliver high quality, innovative solutions to complex business issues for a diverse range of clients. These include 72 of the Fortune 100, 61 of the FTSE 100 and 120 of the Fortune 200. Our global teams operate seamlessly to deliver the commercial know-how and strategic alignment that clients need from their advisors to help further their business interests. We shape our advice to the unique circumstances and challenges of each project, and ensure the right people are in the right places to offer insight and certainty every time – from the day-to-day to the most complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions. What unites us is our commitment to service excellence through a people-focused approach. We know our clients’ businesses, the industries and markets they operate in, and most of all, we understand that great relationships yield the best outcomes."

What is your role in the company?
"I joined the firm in January 2016 and was appointed Managing Partner (MP) in May 2017. As MP – in addition to working as a lawyer in primarily transactions (M&A) and corporate law including capital markets – I have to same role as a CEO. As such I am responsible for making sure operations are run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In other words, I am the “side-kick” to my partner colleagues and all our skilled lawyers and other staff members. Jokes aside – it is a true pleasure, be it sometimes challenging – to lead such a highly motivated, skilled and client centered group in an international environment."

What are the benefits of a membership of the Dutch Chamber for yourself and your company?
"We try to be part of Chambers of Commerce in key jurisdictions where we have offices. The Netherlands is obviously a large and trade and export oriented economy and we see added value of the membership to our existing, both Swedish and other, clients that have interests in the Netherlands, through the insights we gain as member. There are many highly interesting seminars on relevant topics. For us as a firm we come across many interesting member companies that may either refer new clients, to us or our Amsterdam office, or themselves evolve into clients and interesting mandates."

/Marion Norman

Much-appreciated lunch at Handelsbanken

16/11/2018

On Monday 20 November the executive members of the Dutch Chamber were invited to the
annual executive lunch at Handelsbanken, where the bank presents itself to the Dutch-
Swedish business community and gives an outlook on the economy.

With inspiring speeches of Handelsbankens CEO Anders Bouvin about a. o. the
digital developments in the banking industry, Jens Wiklund, CEO Handelsbanken in the
Netherlands, about the growth of Handelsbanken in the Netherlands and Elisabeth Jamal
Bergström, chief Communcations and Sustainability Office, about the sustainability strategy
and actions of Handelsbanken, attendants got a good inside view of the way Handelsbanken aims
for a longterm and sustainable strategy.

As a last speaker Ann Öberg, Chief Economist of Handelsbanken gave an inside into the global
economy, including effect of trade barriers, development of the housing market, the
currencies and the effect of elections.

We thank our member Handelsbanken for another much-appreciated event.

/Dennis Langenberg

Interesting article about Circular Economy

5/11/2018

In addition to our latest Orange Tables Event on Circular Economy on 25 October we have an interesting article regarding this topic. Read it here.

OT Event on Circular Economy was great success

1/11/2018

On Thursday 25 October we hosted an Orange Tables Event on Circular Economy. The main question was: Circular Economy: Fact or Fiction? The panel consisted of three panellists with different interesting stories and Jolanda van Rooijen, PhD Candidate on Circular Economy to kick off the event and introduce the topic Circular Economy.

The panel consisted of:

Ton van der Giessen of Van Werven Plastics, here you can find his presentation
Anna Höglund of Inrego, here you can find her presentation
Flavio Santos of Signify, former Philips Lighting, here you can find his presentation

The event was presented by Ruben Brunsveld, Head People & Culture at Enact Sustainable Strategies

We can look back on another great Orange Tables Event. The evening was interactive, had excellent content and a great mingle afterwards. Both the panellist and Jolanda van Rooijen showed a different view on a topic that is concerning everyone.

A lively discussion with many pointed questions and stimulating ideas.
Jolanda van Rooijens presentation can be downloaded here.

/Dennis Langenberg

New in the organisation: Rianne den Toom

18/10/2018

My name is Rianne den Toom. I moved to Stockholm in 2014 to study Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics. Currently I'm working as management consultant where I get the chance to work with a large variety of clients on risk projects.

Before moving to Stockholm however, I worked with international economic affairs and Dutch business abroad. This has made me very enthusiastic to join the Dutch Chamber and support with the events in Stockholm!

/Rianne den Toom

New Consul in Malmö: Kerstin Lindell

9/10/2018

Kerstin Lindell is the new Consul for the Netherlands in Southern Sweden. As such she recently joined the Dutch Chamber. We asked her to introduce herself to our members.

My name is Kerstin Lindell and I have been CEO of Bona for almost 12 years now. Previously I worked as R&D Manager at Akzo Nobel Insustrial Wood Coatings. I have been living in Limhamn (Malmö) for 25 years, am married and have two children. My education is a MSC Chem Engineering, PhD Polymer Chemistry and MBA.

Could you tell a little bit more about your company Bona?
Bona AB is a family-owned company founded in 1919. With its headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, Bona is now present in more than 90 different countries all over the world through subsidiaries and distributors. We provide products for the installation, maintenance and renovation of wood floors throughout their lifetime and we also supply UV coatings to leading international producers of wooden floors. Through our comprehensive Bona System, we are able to offer our customers complete solutions for every wooden floor challenge. We continuously develop innovative products with a long-term sustainable perspective in mind. So we take into account not just the floor itself but the working conditions of the craftsman and the impact on the indoor and outdoor environment.

What is your connection with the Netherlands?
I worked for Akzo Nobel for 14 years so I have good working experience with the Netherlands.

What does your assignment as Consul for the Netherlands entail? Do you have any specific ambitions to achieve?
I hope to support the Embassy in Stockholm with activities and an understanding of what is happening in South Sweden.

What are your expectations concerning the Dutch Chamber of Commerce? And escpecially for the region South?
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce is a very important area of interaction both with activities for all Sweden and especially South Sweden.

/Els Berkers

New in the organisation: Charlotta and Ann-Nina

3/10/2018

My name is Charlotta Feith and together with Ann-Nina Finne I will be chairing the South region of Sweden for the Dutch Chamber. I am Dutch with a Swedish mother and grew up mostly in Holland and abroad, while spending summers in the south of Sweden.
After many years in Amsterdam I decided 4 years ago to test living in Sweden where part of my roots lie. I have a business background so joining the Chamber seems like a logic step. Currently I work in change management for a Swedish media company. I really enjoy Malmö and Skåne and look forward to organise some interesting events!

My name is Ann-Nina Finne, I'm Finnish by origin, currently based in Malmö, but have been based in various countries, among them the Netherlands. I am still spending time in the Netherlands as often as possible, and joined the Dutch Chamber in Sweden last year.
I have worked in communications for over 20 years and am currently heading the communications and political affairs department at a multinational energy company.
I'm very much looking forward to doing volunteer work for the Chamber, and will also challenge myself to finally learn Dutch!

How Volvo addresses benefits and compensation

17/9/2018

Last Thursday on 13 September we organised another Go Innovation Lab in Gothenburg. Our guest speaker Bart Geraads (VP HR Group Volvo) gave us an insight in how companies address the topics compensation and benefits.
Volvo has conducted a large survey among its employees about this topic, as they felt the need to understand what employees or candidates find important in the award area.
Awaiting the results they will face the challenge how to implement target specific needs on specific ages, for specific stages in life and the different profiles.
In general, the employee is more outspoken nowadays and more in a position to demand. A good salary and possibilities to develop yourselves are not the only the key issues anymore.

/Annemieke van Wijk

New trainee: Dennis Langenberg

3/9/2018

Hi everyone!
My name is Dennis Langenberg and I will do an internship at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce as an Assistant Business Developer. For my study in Commercial Economics we are encouraged to do the internship abroad. Via my network I got in touch with Els and Maarten. This is a great opportunity for my professional and personal development!

My internship involves activities that will support the events, communication and member relations of the Dutch Chamber as well as business development. I will continue the work and findings from previous interns. I am looking forward to perform in the best way for the Dutch Chamber and look forward to interact with as many members and followers as possible!

/Dennis Langenberg