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Candidate: Secretary

15/3/2026

We're pleased to announce our candidate for the position of Secretary: Willemijn de Groot. She introduces herself below:

"In 2022 my partner, Oscar, and I moved to Gothenburg because he got a position at Volvo Group. During my job search in Sweden, I was referred to the Dutch Chamber. Initially, I thought the Dutch Chamber was only a place for big companies, but I gave it a try and joined some events. This turned out to be a very good decision! It helped me to build a strong network and meet many inspiring people. One of them was Sander, with whom I started our travel agency, Travel.se, in 2024.

In October 2023, I became Regional Director in Gothenburg, which gave me the opportunity to organise a range of interesting events together with Viola. After two years as Regional Director, I felt it was time for a new challenge, and joining the Executive Board as Secretary felt like a natural step. It gives me the opportunity to contribute to the association in a new and broader way. With my background as a lawyer, I think the role of Secretary suits me well.
I look forward to joining the Board and contributing to our beautiful community that has provided me with so many opportunities in Sweden."

/Willemijn de Groot

Candidate: Board member communications

15/3/2026

We are pleased to introduce our candidate for the position of Board Member for Communications: Wanda Bergendal. She introduces herself below:

"I have lived in Stockholm with my family for almost 10 years and enjoy the city's green spaces and quality of life. When I'm not in Stockholm I also like spending time on the picturesque West Coast and the Netherlands.

My background is in working with multinationals in the domains of Digitalization, Communications and E-Commerce. Nowadays I'm working in the automotive industry and realizing BMW Group's exciting digital transformation.

The Dutch Chamber represents an engaged community of entrepreneurs who foster a unique energy that only entrepreneurs can create together.
It's a mix of pioneering, striving for innovation, and finding new connections and opportunities. This is the energy I picked up and have greatly appreciated during the events and corporate gatherings I have attended within the community.

I'm therefore looking forward to contributing to the continued strengthening and visibility of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce."

/Wanda Bergendal

Candidate: Board member events

15/3/2026

We are pleased to introduce our candidate for the position of Board Member for Events: Anne Jansen. She introduces herself below:

"I have been living in Sweden for more than 20 years and now live just outside Stockholm, close to nature and the water. Together with my family we are nearing the end of a house extension project, which we look forward to completing.

In my daily work, I represent the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) in the Nordics, based at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Stockholm. My role focuses on connecting Nordic companies, scale ups, and ecosystems with opportunities in the Netherlands, particularly in areas such as AI, life sciences, quantum technology, and the energy transition.

Through this work I interact with companies, investors, research environments, and public partners across both countries. Events play an important role in bringing these different stakeholders together.

The Dutch Chamber is an important platform for the Dutch Swedish business community. As a candidate for the board role responsible for events, I look forward to working with the board and the team of Regional Directors to develop a relevant and engaging event program that brings members, speakers, and partners together."

/Anne Jansen

Corporate lunch with Vattenfall

15/3/2026

On Thursday, March 12, we hosted an insightful corporate lunch in Stockholm focused on Human Behaviour in Business Transformation, featuring Jacques Pellis, Head of Communications - Industry Decarbonisation at Vattenfall.

Jacques led a compelling conversation on how organisational change impacts behaviour, and conversely, how behaviour shapes the success or failure of any organisational transformation. Drawing from his expertise in behavioural science and change management, he emphasized the importance of placing people and behavioural principles at the heart of transformation efforts.

He shared with us that, while clear strategic beliefs are necessary to set direction, behaviour change doesn’t happen simply by communicating beliefs or ambitions. It happens when we first focus on the behaviour we want to achieve and design the conditions to enable it. Key takeaways are:

Change fails not from resistance, but from ignoring human needs
Resistance is data, not disruption
Behaviour change starts with observing, not talking

We thank Jacques for sharing these valuable insights and all participants for their questions and great conversation during lunch. Do you want to observe more behavioural change with Jacques? Connect with him on LinkedIn to discuss further.

/L.F.

Company Visit to the Battery Centre Gothenburg

24/2/2026

The company visit to the Battery Centre Gothenburg on 20 February 2026, offered a learning by doing experience. Led by Daniel Nåfors and his colleagues, 18 participants entered a realistic training environment designed to encourage interaction, questions and discussion. The practical setup created an engaged atmosphere throughout the visit.
A key strength of the centre is its strong network of partners and close collaboration between education, industry, and public stakeholders. Rooted in the Gothenburg region, the Battery Centre plays an important role in supporting the local battery and electrification ecosystem while also attracting international interest.
The event mixed short theoretical introductions with demonstrations and practical assignments. Participants worked with a variety of learning tools including workstations, automated production lines, robotics and VR-based safety training. This gave a clear insight into the modern and interactive training methods used at the Battery Centre.
One highlight was working in a live production environment where participants had to identify and resolve disruptions as quickly as possible - reflecting real factory conditions.
The visit worked towards a clear goal: by the end of the day, participants assembled batteries using a robotic system, making the experience both practical and memorable.

/J.K.

Candidate Chair Dutch Chamber

15/2/2026

We're happy to introduce our candidate for the position or Chair of the Dutch Chamber: Saskia Duursema.
Our current chair Manuel Harmsen will step down after the Annual Meeting on 18 March. Saskia Duursema recently joined the Dutch Chamber as regional director Stockholm.

"In the summer of 2023, my Swedish partner and I moved with our children from Amsterdam to Stockholm to start a new chapter in our lives and experience the Swedish lifestyle. A few months after arriving, I joined the Dutch Chamber and was immediately struck by how welcome I felt. Experiencing a sense of home while living abroad and meeting many new and inspiring people has been truly special.

After leaving my role as Process Director at Nike EMEA Headquarters in January 2024, I chose to shift my focus and prioritise family life. After the summer, I realised the time was right for a new challenge and joined the Dutch Chamber team as Regional Director for Stockholm. Not long after, the opportunity arose to step into the role of Chair of the Executive Board.

For many years, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce has strengthened business ties between the Netherlands and Sweden through a wide range of events across multiple locations. This team of volunteers creates valuable opportunities to share knowledge, gain insights, and build meaningful relationships. As the new Chair, I am proud and excited to support this platform where members can connect, collaborate, and grow together.

As I step into this role, I look forward to continuing the legacy of my predecessors and building on their important work. I am truly excited to be part of this journey and to support our Dutch community in Sweden."

/Saskia Duursema

New Year’s Mingle at Pom Friterie

19/1/2026

We kicked off the new year in great company during our New Year’s Mingle at Pom Friterie on the 15th of January. The event brought together a lively mix of long-standing members and many new faces, making it a particularly energising way to start 2026.

In an informal and welcoming setting, guests enjoyed classic Dutch bitterballen alongside dinner, while conversations flowed easily well into the evening. The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to reconnect, exchange ideas, and welcome new members into the Dutch Chamber community.
A special word of thanks goes to Marvin, owner of Pom Friterie, for hosting us and for the warm hospitality throughout the evening.

We look back on this New Year’s Mingle as a strong and positive start to the year and are excited to continue building connections through many upcoming Dutch Chamber events in 2026.

New year's Mingle in Gothenburg

18/1/2026

A relaxed atmosphere, good conversations, and the distinctive character of a local brewery set the tone for the New Year’s mingle in Gothenburg, a great start to 2026.

With soft background music and a wide selection of drinks, the evening offered plenty of space for meaningful exchanges. It was especially nice to welcome several new faces to the network.
Carina Kloek-Malmsten shared insights into her role as Honorary Consul, reflecting on the Dutch government’s focus over the past year and the key priorities looking ahead to 2026, offering valuable context within the Dutch-Swedish landscape.

Guests were also invited behind the scenes by Tobbe, one of the owners of Majornas Bryggeri, who introduced us to the brewery’s story and the craftsmanship behind the brewing process, where even the choice of water makes a difference.

A big thank you to Carina and to all members and new faces who joined us to kick off the year in such a positive setting. We are excited about what 2026 will bring and already look forward to our next event: a visit to Battery Centre Gothenburg on 20 February.

Pictures: Ilse Klinkhamer

/M.S.

Glögg mingle in Stockholm

10/12/2025

With great joy we look back on last week’s glögg mingle in Stockholm, an evening characterised by festive spirit and a perfect mix of familiar and new faces.

We are grateful for the opportunity to host the Stockholm mingle at the Residence of the Dutch Embassy, kindly extended through the invitation of Ambassador Joost Reintjes, in cooperation with our Chair, Manuel Harmsen.
The event also marked the first organised by our newly appointed Regional Directors, Lisa and Saskia.

As the Dutch Chamber, we can reflect on a year full of successful events and insightful corporate lunches, and we look forward to welcoming our members to many engaging and inspiring events in 2026.
The first event of the new year will be the New Year’s Drinks at Pom Friterie on January 15th, 2026, starting at 15:45. We warmly invite all members to join us.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to welcoming you again in 2026.

/S.D.

Glögg mingle in Gothenburg

7/12/2025

The Dutch Chamber’s glögg mingle in Gothenburg the 3rd of December was a lively evening filled with great conversations, familiar faces, and many new connections. In the cosy atmosphere of the Travel.se office, members and guests gathered to celebrate the end of the year, reflect on everything that had been done, and look forward to what lies ahead.
The event also marked a special farewell for Team West. Around 40 participants attended the last event organised by Regional Director Willemijn de Groot and Board Member Events Viola Pettersson Vergouwe. Over the years, their dedication and enthusiasm have shaped countless meaningful gatherings for the Dutch Chamber community. As they step back from their roles, the responsibility for future events lies in the capable hands of Marlies Stokman and John Klinkhamer, who will lead the next chapter of activities in the region.
One of the highlights of the evening was a quiz that looked back on this year’s impressive lineup of twelve events. It not only sparked friendly competition, but also encouraged guests to share their ideas for future gatherings. Many suggestions had a social and sporty touch, such as a wine tasting, golf tournament or fishing. Other ideas leaned more towards business networking, including the excellent proposal to visit the workplace of another Dutch Chamber member.

Another popular suggestion was to encourage members to bring a colleague to a future event, an idea that can already be put into action at the upcoming gathering, the New years drink on January 14th 2026.
As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: the Dutch Chamber community in Gothenburg continues to grow stronger, more engaged, and full of exciting ideas for the future.

Pictures: Lynn Kleinjan, Klein's Prints

/V.P.