Board of Directors

Frédéric Cho, born in 1961, Vice Chairman since 2011 and Honorary Member since 2022, is founder of Frédéric Cho Advisory AB.

Frédéric Cho first visited China in 1980. In 1982-84 he studied at Beijing University and was a postgraduate in Chinese studies at Stockholm university until 1986 when he embarked on a business career. He is the only person in the Nordic region having work in all fields of China’s financial sector (banking, insurance and investment banking) but also in life science and media and lived and worked for 18 years in Beijing, Wuxi, Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Frédéric Cho Advisory AB focuses on strategic advisory related to investments and business development in both directions the Nordic region and Greater China, Korea, Singapore and Japan. Frédéric was member of the former Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg’s trade policy advisory group and also a Member of Team Sweden China of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Frédéric Cho became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2000.

Keika Lee, born in Uppsala, 1977, is Director of Regulatory Affairs, Inter IKEA Group. She leads regulatory affairs projects aimed at advancing the regulatory agenda, making sure that the IKEA vision of safe, sustainable and affordable products is supported. Keika is responsible for International trade and has an extra focus on China. As China is IKEAs most important purchasing market and has a growing retail market, Keika works closely with the business to build relationships with legislators, regulators and other key stakeholders in China.

Keika has a background from public affairs, change management and business development. With experience from Klarna as Head of People Experience, from the public affairs firm Six Year Plan as CEO, and before that as PMO at KPMG as well as from a fashion start-up, Keika has built a vast understanding of international companies in different markets.

Keika has a Master in Political Science from Uppsala University and studied Japanese and International Relations at Keio University in Tokyo.

Keika Lee became a Board member of SCTC in 2022.

Oscar Lundberg, born in 1963, is Senior Vice President of SEB and Client Executive & Area Manager for North East Asia.

During his entire career within SEB, Oscar has been working with international business. During the 1990’s Oscar was a client executive for a number of large Swedish international clients followed by heading up the Bank and Regional Management, the unit responsible for the activities within emerging markets. Other responsibilities within SEB include membership of the Financial institutions and country risk credit committee and the steering group of SEB Asia Council.

Oscar has been with the bank since 1988 after studies in Lund. He made his first visit to China in 1985 and has since also lived and worked in Singapore during 1991-1994 and in Beijing during 2004-2006.

Oscar Lundberg became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2011.

Bo Landin, born in 1938, is Honorary Chairman of Sweden-China Trade Council since year 2011. Bo Landin was the Chairman of SCTC between 2000 and 2011.

Bo Landin has had a long career in Ericsson. He joined the Group Management in 1978, when he was named Senior Vice President. He held a number of executive positions until he retired in 2000. From 1995 to 1999 he had a Group responsibility for Ericsson’s activities in Asia and Oceania, based in Hong Kong. He also held the position of Chairman, Ericsson China.

Bo Landin is also Chairman of Swedish Business Council for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and Member of the Reference Group for Asia Business of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Bo Landin joined the Board of Directors of SCTC in 1991.

Thomas Lagerqvist, Honorary Chairman of Sweden-China Trade Council since 2021 and its Chairman between 2011 and 2021, born in 1944 and previously Senior Adviser of Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå AB.

Thomas Lagerqvist has been specialising in M&A and corporate, intellectual property and international trade law. With more than 30 years experience in China-related matters, Thomas Lagerqvist has both a broad knowledge and practical experience of China and an ability to find legally practicable, creative solutions to the problems that are frequently encountered in connection with investments and business relations in China. His industrial knowledge and expertise span the range of Swedish industries that are represented in China.

Thomas Lagerqvist joined the Board of Directors of SCTC since 1998. He has been on the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong since 1992 and between 1996 and 2010 its Chairman.

He has been recognized among the Leading Lawyers in Asia five years in a row in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Asia Leading Lawyers Survey.

Elisabet Söderström, born in 1962, is Secretary General of Sweden-China Trade Council since 2004.

Before joining SCTC, she held the position of Office Manager for the Swedish Trade Council’s office in Hong Kong. Elisabet Söderström has spent altogether 11 years in Hong Kong, working also for the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. She started her career as a journalist with the local daily Sundsvalls Tidning and later joined Expressen before moving to Indonesia in the mid-80’s. Elisabet has studied social science at the Stockholm University.

Elisabet Söderström is a Member of Team Sweden Kina in Sweden of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and was member of the National Committee for the Swedish Participation in Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Lovisa Bergendal Lindstedt, born in 1965 in Lund, currently holds a position as Vice President Competence and Leadership Development at Höganäs AB.

Lovisa has lived in Beijing for more than 20 years. She started as a student, then she joined Ericsson whom she worked for during 10 years in various HR roles. Her last role within Ericsson was to set up and manage the Ericsson University activities for the APAC region. She left Ericsson to set up her own consultancy business (APLDI), still based in Beijing, from where she supported multinational companies with their leadership development needs. In 2011 she joined Sandvik as Global Head of Learning and moved together with her family to Sweden. Lovisa spent 9 years with Sandvik, heading up the strategic leadership and talent development portfolio for the Group, before joining Höganäs AB in 2021 as VP Competence and Leadership Development.

Lovisa Bergendal Lindstedt became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2020.

Markus Dahlström, born in 1974, is a Partner at Nordic Match, an M&A and strategic advisory boutique with headquarters in Shanghai, China. Dedicated to Sino-Nordic transactions Nordic Match represents listed/private corporates, and family offices across the Nordics with interests in the Chinese market.

Markus has a MSc in Finance and studied in Stockholm as well as in the US. He has broad experience from the financial industry with a passion for China and building long term relationships. Previously in his career he worked at SEB and lived five of those in Asia having various managerial roles with responsibility for the Asian region. Markus have worked with cross-border investments between China and the Nordics since 2013.

Markus is also a juror for the Suzhou start up competitions and for Jensen Foundation in Sweden – young start-ups going abroad. He also hosts seminars for Sino-Nordic transactions and China entries.

Marcus Dahlström became Member of the Board of Directors in 2024 after having served as Substitute Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC since 2021.

Pernilla Halldin, born in 1971, is Head of Public Affairs, H&M Group. Pernilla has spent more than 15 years with H&M Group at various positions within the departments of Communication, Production and Retail in Hong Kong, Legal and Sustainability. She is currently reporting to the CFO as Head of Public Affairs. A big part of her focus has been on Asia, for example part of the team opening the first stores in China and Hong Kong in 2007, Japan 2008, South Korea 2010, Singapore 2011. She was based in Hong Kong 2011 – 2015 working with public affairs in Asia.

Pernilla is a graduate from the East and Southeast Asia Department at Lund University and has spent many years in China, both as a student at different universities during the 1990’s and studying and working in Beijing in 1997 – 2000.

Pernilla Halldin became a Board member of SCTC in 2022.

Mats Harborn, born in 1961, is President, Scania China Group and a China veteran with 30 years’ experience of working and living in China. He has been Chief representative for Scania and Handelsbanken, Trade Secretary at Business Sweden (former Exportrådet), General Manager for Scania China Sales Co Ltd, Executive Director for Scania Strategic Office and since 2020 he represents Scania China Group as its President. An important part of Mats work is to actively influence the business environment.

From 2017 to May of 2019, Mats was elected President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. He has served on the Chamber’s Executive Committee since 2013, as Vice President and as States’ Representative. He is the initiator of the China Commercial Vehicles Board of ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and served as its chairman for seven years. In 2005, he was elected Chairman of Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China, a position he held for eight years.

Mats is an active speaker for Swedish and foreign audiences on matters relating to China as well as in various Chinese industry fora. Mats speaks and reads Chinese.

Mats Harborn became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2023.

Anna Hessle, born in 1971, is Senior Chief Architect and International Director at Sweco Architects AB, Sweden. Anna has a M.Sc. in Architecture and Urban Planning from Lund University (1998) and has also studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art.

Anna Hessle has practised as an architect for 18 years and has an experience all project stages and scales, from regional planning, city and district masterplans, down to the design of specific buildings, such as neighbourhood facilities, commercial centres and housing. She has been involved in a large number of urban planning projects internationally, but in particular China, with special focus on sustainable city development.

Travelling frequently to China, Anna is now responsible for the China Market for Swecos architects and planners and has the ambition to continue to develop sustainable city projects and spread ecological awareness within Chinese urban development. As a project director and trained process leader for the Symbiocity Approach, her interest lies in facilitating collaboration in multidisciplinary teams as a means to achieve synergies and true eco city development and she especially finds it rewarding with workshops that involve the clients, local experts and decision makers.

Among recent projects in which she has had the role of project leader and chief planner in the ongoing North Jinan Strategic Planning and Tongzhou urban planning competition. Important Chinese projects through the years also include Tangshan Bay Eco-city, the Dongli Lake Project in Tianjin and Guan Zhu Town House Project, Beijing.

Anna Hessle became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2017.

Richard Hårdänge, born in 1985, is Partner and Chief Commercial Officer at NBH, a digital marketing agency that supports companies with marketing, strategy, and digital setup in China.

He first became interested in China while working with Chinese antiques at Uppsala Auction House. He has worked as a manager in five-star hospitality and within the travel industry with a focus on China and business groups. Also, as an independent management consultant supporting with B2B sales strategy, digital tools and China knowledge.

Having lived and worked in China for many years, Richard is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Richard holds a degree in Arts & Cultural Sciences from Stockholm University. With his diverse background and deep understanding of Chinese consumer behavior, he helps companies navigate cultural differences while focusing on sales, marketing, and strategy to bridge the gap between the Nordics and China.

Richard Hårdänge became Substitute Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2023 and became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2025.

Lisette Lindahl, born in 1954, has spent over 40 years as a diplomat in the Swedish Foreign service.

During that time her postings have taken her from Sofia via Madrid, New York, Ottawa, Copenhagen, Washington DC to Beijing and Shanghai.

In Beijing, Lisette was head of the economic section with responsibilities for trade and economics ranging from direct promotion of Swedish companies, discussions with Chinese authorities regarding trade rules and regulations, arranging for incoming delegations in this field and reporting to the Ministry in Stockholm on economic issues and trade policies.

In 2016 Lisette was appointed Swedish Consul General to Shanghai. The provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang was included in her area of responsibilities. She primarily worked with promoting Swedish businesses and Swedish culture to China. Lisette was awarded Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China’s Honorary Award in 2019 for being a “facilitator for Swedish enterprises in China”.

Lisette is retired and constantly trying to continue being a facilitator when it comes to cooperation with China.

Lisette Lindahl became Member of the Board of Directors in 2024 after having served as Substitute Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC since 2023.

Elisabeth Lindström-Dupuy, born in Lund, 1964, MD, Sandvik China, is currently positioned in Beijing, and is also responsible for M/A in China.

She grew up in Germany and France and has a MSc in Mechanical Engineering, specialized within industrial engineering & work environment, from Luleå Technical University. Elisabeth has since 1995 worked for Sandvik, the majority for Sandvik Coromant, where she has enjoyed an international career, both within manufacturing, engineering and sales of metal cutting tools.

Through her different managerial positions within production and sales in Europe and China, she has got a broad and solid experience of the engineering industry and its different opportunities and needs. Parallel to strategic work and business development, bridging cultural differences, when managing teams and organizations in France, Germany, and China, has been an interesting and awarding part of her daily work.

Elisabeth Lindström-Dupuy became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2021.

Katja Lindvall, born in 1985, is Vice President of Moving Floor AB. Prior to joining the company, she had worked at Swedbank. Katja has studied Bachelor of International Business at Griffith University, Australia.

Moving Floor AB specializes in providing automatic cleaning solutions for livestock, specifically pigs and dairy cows. The company’s aim is to reduce CO2 emissions, water usage, and antibiotic usage in livestock farming, while simultaneously improving profitability for farmers. With over 100 farms already utilizing their innovative solution in Europe, Moving Floor AB is now expanding into the Chinese market.

As one of the co-founders of Moving Floor AB, Katja has been actively involved in targeting the Chinese market since the company’s establishment in 2008. Initially focusing on sourcing and manufacturing in China, the company is now entering the market for both sales and manufacturing to better serve the local market. Katja is responsible for overseeing Moving Floor’s operations in China and is leading the team towards establishing a presence in the country.

Katja Lindvall became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2014.

Jacob Minnhagen, born in 1978, is Senior Market Development Manager, Port of Gothenburg.

Jacob started his shipping career in 2005 with Hong Kong based container shipping line OOCL. His general interests include travelling, foreign cultures, international trade and ships in general. The perfect match to combine these interests is shipping.

After moving to Gothenburg, he graduated from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg with a bachelor’s degree in Shipping and logistics in 2005. The first job was at OOCL were he gained knowledge from operational activities including introduction of an OOCL feeder vessel service to Sweden in 2006.

To widen his knowledge, he switched to the sales department with the task to increase container volumes and diversify the customer portfolio to meet the business plan by head office in Hong Kong.

After a few years at Sales department at OOCL working with both shippers and forwarders, Jacob joined the Port of Gothenburg to strengthen the sales team in 2011. His present role as Market developer and deputy head of sales department includes sales and marketing activities towards shippers, forwarders & shipping lines within all shipping segments. This includes regular activities in Asia and especially China.

He often welcomes visitors from different international trade missions and other groups to the port. The development of logistical solutions including warehousing is another of his present tasks to strengthen the business.

Jacob Minnhagen became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2021.

Charlotte Niklasson, born in 1977, is the Director of Public Affairs at SKF, leading the global public- and governmental relations work and the company’s interactions with policymakers.

Before joining SKF in September 2024, she spent several years in Brussels working for Nordic media companies, focusing on public policy and EU affairs.

Charlotte holds a master’s in political science from Lund University and a bachelor’s degree in security politics from Zurich University. She has held leadership positions in public policy and government affairs across multiple sectors, including private companies, government offices, and the UN in cities such as Brussels, Stockholm, Bishkek, and Zurich.

She is an experienced communicator and relationship builder, with a strong track record in engaging stakeholders. Throughout her career, she has been advocating for equality, inclusion and diversity in all aspects of her work.

Charlotte Nicklasson became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2025.

Håkan Osvald, born in 1954, retired from May 1, 2022 as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Board of Atlas Copco.

He is Chair of the board of Climeon AB (publ) and board member of Utrikeshandelsföreningen and Djurgården Hockey AB.

Håkan Osvald became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2016.

Magnus Sahlholm, born in 1980 in Norrköping, is Head of Group Strategy in Volvo Group and based in Gothenburg.

He holds a MSc of Chemical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology and BSc in Business Administration from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg.

Magnus has worked in different roles in Volvo Group and Volvo Trucks since 2011. Before joining Volvo, he started his professional career in 2006 in McKinsey & Company. Magnus has been positioned in Beijing from 2019-2022 responsible for business development activities for Volvo Group. He has also gained international experience throughout his career from living and working in the Middle East and in different European countries.

Magnus Sahlholm became a Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2023.

Johan Spennare , born in 1972, is CEO, KG Spennare AB, a family business that he runs together with his brother, Fredrik.

Spennare produces portable display systems for marketing purposes, mainly portable big size picture for indoor use. The majority of the production is carried out in Nanjing and Suzhou and since 2012, Spennare is established in Nanjing.

Previously, Johan was Business Development Director at a leading company producing portable displays and has also been living in Los Angeles where he worked for Point of Purchase, a company focusing on shop display. Johan has a Master in Business Economics at the School of Business in Umeå.

Johan Spennare became a Board member of SCTC in 2014.

Per Westling, born in 1961, is Managing Director of Stena RoRo and has been employed by Stena since 1985.

In addition to a M.Sc. degree in Naval Architecture from Chalmers Technical University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Per is trained as an Engineer within the Royal Swedish Navy. Within the Stena group he has been project manager for several vessel newbuildings and major conversion projects but also served for five years within the Stena Line Shipmanagement division.

In 2001 he moved to Stena RoRo as Conversion Manager, took on the role of Deputy Managing Director in 2008 and subsequently Managing Director in 2011. Mr Westling is since 2013 a board member of Interferry Inc. In 2013 Stena RoRo embarked on a major ship investment program in China and ordered the worlds largest civilian hospitalship on behalf of Mercy ships Ltd.

In addition thirteen so called E-Flexer passenger ships and two roro ships have been ordered in chinese shipyards. In 2012 Stena RoRo established an office in Shanghai. Per Westling became Substitute Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2024 and Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2025.

Magnus Wikander, born 1977, is Head of Strategic Development Maritime Hydrodynamics at the Maritime department (former SSPA) of RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden AB. Through international collaboration with industry, academia and the public sector, RISE ensure business competitiveness and contribute to a sustainable society. The Maritime department provides adapted solutions for a resilient and sustainable maritime future.

Magnus holds a Master’s degree in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering with +20 years of experience from shipbuilding and shipping sector. Prior to joining SSPA in 2013, Magnus worked as Marketing and Sales Manager at FKAB (Fartygskonstruktioner AB), a Ship Design company with offices in Shanghai, Gothenburg and Uddevalla. Magnus gained much of his interest for shipbuilding when working as a project manager at the ship repair yard Ö-Varvet AB, in the archipelago on the Swedish west coast.

RISE Maritime department (former SSPA) has a long history working with the Chinese shipbuilding industry; shipyards, ship designers and ship owners. The strength lies in performance enhancement and strengthening of design. For Magnus this means frequent contact and travels all around China.

Magnus Wikander became Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2017. Magnus is also the Chairman of SCTC’s Sweden-China Marine Group.

Daria Yan, born in 1986, is Senior Legal Counsel at Perstorp Holding AB. Born and raised in Shanghai, legally trained in Hong Kong with a master’s degree from Stockholm University.

Daria started working as legal consultant at Mannheimer Swartling in 2012. For the first seven years she was based in Shanghai/Hong Kong, where she worked with a wide range of China-related matters. In 2019 she moved to Malmö and has since then broadened her practice to include Swedish and international matters.

Daria speaks and works in English, Swedish and Chinese (native user of Mandarin, Shanghainese, and fluent in Cantonese).

Daria Yan became Substitute Member of the Board of Directors of SCTC in 2022 and was elected Member of the Board of Directors in 2023.