What can we expect from you as a consul?
My role as the Honorary Consul General for Sweden in Amsterdam is to represent Sweden in The Netherlands. I will promote Swedish business and Swedish values and I will be the link between the consular district and the Swedish Embassy. In order to do that I will keep close connections with business and governmental organisations both in Sweden and The Netherlands. In that respect the function of the Dutch Chamber is very important; you are the Dutch connection for Business in Sweden.
What is your connection with Sweden? My mother is Swedish, so I’m raised with the Swedish culture, language, values and … amazing Swedish summers. We have a house in the Southern part of Sweden (Falsterbo/Skanör area) so we enjoy life and visiting relatives. Apart from private reasons I visit Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö regularly for business purposes.
How are you going to combine your daily work with this new role?
In my daily working life I am a partner at Heussen lawyers and civil law notaries. I have been the Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands between 2007 and 2015, so I know how to combine another role next to my work as a lawyer. The fact that I am heading the Sweden Desk of my lawfirm makes it easier for me to travel to Sweden. My experience is that when you really have a passion for something, it doesn’t feel as work. And I can easily say that I have a great passion for Sweden. I am looking forward to working together with the Board and I hope to meet my fellow members of the Dutch Chamber soon after the summer!
/E.B & M.N.