The legacy lives on: SCC UK Scholar Alumni - where are they now?

17 December 2024

For over a century, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK has been the heartbeat of a proud legacy, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation. This special feature celebrates the journeys of some of our Scholar Alumni from the past decade – who all helped steer the Chamber forward during their time. We’ve had the opportunity to speak with eight former scholars, each sharing their unique story and contributing to the evolving narrative of our community.

 

FREDRIK HAGENIUS, Anders Wall Foundation scholar, 2010-2011

How was your time at the Chamber?

What I really appreciated at SCC UK was particularly the blend of Swedish traditions with an international atmosphere. Being surrounded by prominent businesspeople and having regular opportunities to engage with them was incredibly rewarding and something I hadn’t experienced before. As someone passionate about entrepreneurship, it was extra exciting and rewarding to be part of launching the Entrepreneurship Forum, a series of seminars. 

What have you done since?

I moved back to Stockholm to pursue my dream of working full-time with Young Entrepreneurs Sweden, an organisation I co-founded a few years earlier. The Chamber gave me confidence and fresh ideas on how to turn my passion into a full-time profession. I worked on this project for two years before deciding to shift focus. Back at university, I co-founded Campusbokhandeln. After a few years, I bought out my partner and managed to transform it from a small, local bookstore into a thriving e-commerce business. This ultimately led to its acquisition by Adlibris, and it became the largest seller of textbooks in Sweden.

 

ANNA LUNDIN, Anders Wall Foundation scholar, 2012-2013

How was your time at the Chamber?

It was incredibly busy — truly non-stop. We were involved in a wide range of activities, and with only two scholars at the time, our responsibilities were diverse. We worked on editing LINK, managed the Young Professionals, and supported the broader organisation by maintaining strong relationships with partners and coordinating exchanges with Team Sweden as a whole.

What have you done since?

My scholarship year turned out to be a gap year between my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In my final year, I received the ‘Female Economist of the Year’ award. This recognition led me on a long journey with Spotify, initially working closely with the founders. I became Chief of Staff, and later served as Head of Market Strategy and Operations for several years before launching a project called “Enable the World.” Over just three days, we launched Spotify in 83 markets. During my maternity leave, I read a startling prediction: by 2027, we might not see fish in the sea. This opened my eyes to the realisation of the impact one single person can have on the environment, by where they place their money. So, I joined Norrsken VC, Europe’s biggest impact fund, and now I’m investing in sustainable businesses.

Anna has also served as Chair of the Anders Wall Foundation, where she remains actively involved on the board. She received her SCC UK Scholarship from the foundation back in 2012. “A meaningful relationship was born between the foundation and myself,” Anna reflects.

 

SOFIA WULFERT, Investor scholar, 2014-2015

How was your time at the Chamber?

A spontaneous pub visit in Uppsala exposed me to an ad, and a few months later I was in London. My time at the Chamber was eventful, and I was amazed of how the small team could execute so many large events annually, especially with a constantly changing team. It was impressive to see how the organisation works, how young talents are given an opportunity to take ownership, throw themselves into projects, and make a significant impact.

What have you done since?

Following an event with the Young Professionals, I grabbed a few pints with some members, where I met someone who introduced me to a role at the financial enterprise Bloomberg. After three years, my commercial journey continued at a cross-border payment startup called Thunes. With a newfound passion for payments and a cemented love for international business, I joined the Dutch fintech company Adyen, where I am today.

So, what do we learn from Sofia? That a couple of pub visits at different times can open the door to life-changing paths.

 

ANDRÉ VIKTORSSON, Sten A. Olsson Foundation scholar, 2018-2019

How was your time at the Chamber?

I was allocated to the Events Department and primarily managed the larger events. We had the freedom to shape the events as we saw fit, and I was fascinated by the level of responsibility and the opportunity to introduce new ideas. Outside of work, I got a football season ticket, met a lot of people, and embraced the London lifestyle. 

What have you done since?

I returned to Sweden for studies and began working part-time at the Elof Hansson Trade in Gothenburg. Due to my French language skills, they needed someone to cover parts of the North and West African region. I quickly joined the sales department. Four years later, I’m still with the company, now as an International Sales Manager. The international aspect of the job is crucial, as the core of the role involves international trade, travel to customers and suppliers, and to build relationships across borders.

Elof Hansson Foundation is today one of the donating funds to our Scholarship Programme — something André played a part in. The foundation focuses on enhancing international trade, which he saw as a perfect fit for SCC UK.

 

JOHANNA BJARSCH FOLLIN, Investor scholar, 2016-2017

How was your time at the Chamber?

The funny thing is, I was automatically placed in the Communications Department as an Investor scholar, regardless of whether it was a strength of mine. Suddenly, I was managing social media and editing LINK, even though I had limited experience. Taking on those responsibilities from day one was a steep learning curve, but it pushed me to expand my professional horizons in ways I never expected. The Chamber had the confidence in me to take on those roles and provided the support I needed.

What have you done since?

When my year came to an end, SCC UK Patron Goodwille happened to be looking for a Marketing Executive, and I got the role. Moving to a member company was the best decision, because it meant that I could continue attending Chamber events and be part of the community. Working at Goodwille, I continued to focus on marketing and business development into Sweden, which helped me realise that marketing was my passion. After Goodwille, I moved to Dublin to work with digital marketing and sales. Then, due to the pandemic, I moved back to Sweden, feeling like I had tried all different aspects of marketing. I was ready to take on a more holistic role and found a position at a tech startup. Now, I’m working for a nonprofit that aligns with my core values. It sounds cliché, but it’s thanks to the Chamber — I probably wouldn’t have considered a career in marketing otherwise.

 

HENRIK BARKMAN, Gull & Stellan Ljungbergs Foundation scholar, 2019-2020

How was your time at the Chamber?

My time at the Chamber was truly special, albeit marked by significant change as the pandemic struck nine months into my year. One of the most valuable lessons I take with me is witnessing how an organisation can pivot entirely to digital operations. The social aspects were particularly challenging, as networking is such a vital element for members, and everything had to be reimagined. That year taught me so much about adaptation and resilience. Before the pandemic, I especially appreciated the opportunity to build close relationships with member companies through events, forums, and Member visits. 

What have you done since?

After the year, I felt like I wasn’t done with London, and I joined Fisher Investments as a Wealth Manager, which was an exciting experience. However, with the city still in lockdown, the work environment was quite different from Sweden. After a year, I returned to Stockholm, and I began my career at Axfood. Today, I’m a Category Manager, and I can confidently say that my time at the Chamber laid the foundation for everything that followed. 

On a personal note, another scholar and I started dating at the time. Fast forward to today, and we’re about to get married! I even proposed to her in London on “our” bench during a visit a few months back.

 

ELIN HAMMENFORS, Lund University scholar, 2016-2017

How was your time at the Chamber?

It was an exciting period, especially being there around the Brexit vote. We hosted a lot of events discussing the potential impacts, which was a big eye-opener. I met top Swedish business leaders and saw firsthand the importance of the network we provide. It wasn’t just about networking; but about understanding the value of connections and how they can drive opportunities. This experience made me realise the power of relationships in business, which is something I’ve carried into my career.

What have you done since?

As we approached the end of my year, I was deciding whether to go back and finish my studies or stay in London and make the most of all the great connections. Through my involvement with the Chamber, I met someone who was a great advocate for me and encouraged me to stay in touch. That connection led to a role with a Swedish business that lasted over five years, which was a fantastic experience. Now, even though I’ve moved on to a different company, we still work together — he recently hired me again for a new opportunity at Ingrid, where I’m currently Head of Sales. It’s been a full-circle moment, staying connected with the Chamber’s network and using it to advance my career. I still attend Chamber events, bringing my colleagues and clients along to share that sense of community and culture.

 

MAHMOUD HAJO, Swedish Youth Abroad scholar, 2020-2021

How was your time at the Chamber?

My time at the Chamber was shaped by the challenges of the pandemic, which taught me adaptability as events shifted online. Working closely with startups expanding internationally gave me valuable insights into market entry strategies, cultural differences, and operational hurdles — experience that proved invaluable when I later supported Swedish startups.

What have you done since?

I began by working at an incubator and a scale-up. However, I soon realised that I wanted to make a broader impact, particularly where economic growth intersects with public policy. That led me to pivot toward the public sector, focusing on economic development and export control. I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ diplomatic programme, which I recently completed. Now, I’m preparing for my first international posting, excited to bring together everything I’ve learned so far. Reflecting on my journey, one of the most significant benefits of my time with SCC UK was the invaluable access it provided to the Swedish startup ecosystem. Those opportunities and experiences laid a solid foundation for everything I’ve achieved since.