SEB Nordic Family Office Summit 2025
Short recap with voices from the summit.
“Participants value the chance to engage with peers, share insights, and discuss issues unique to family offices. Through events like this, SEB can help facilitate that these companies gain input on how to develop their governance, future-proof their strategy, and find new investment opportunities,” says Peter Lauridsen, Global Head of Professional Family Office at SEB.
This year’s summit was held on 30 January in Stockholm. Two new elements, a women’s banquet and a next generation master class, were both highly popular, reflecting the strong demand for next-generation engagement and leadership development.
Stewarding wealth: Through the lens of a CEO
The first session at the summit examined the complexities of managing family wealth from a CEO’s perspective. Henrik Lundin (IMAS Foundation) and Christian Schraub (Messer Family) shared insights on governance, leadership, and long-term strategy. IMAS Foundation is one of three foundations set up by Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad. The German Messer Family built its fortune on industrial gases.
“All business is driven by capital, but ours is also driven by family legacy – a heritage, a family baby,” said Schraub, stressing the balance between professional management and family involvement. “If you challenge your owners and they challenge you, it creates a great working relationship.” Lundin underscored the need for independent governance: “With five board members and a maximum of two family members, we ensure independence while also preserving IKEA’s cultural heritage.”
Navigating generational transitions
Succession planning was another key theme, with researcher Camille Korschun from Stockholm School of Economics highlighting the three-generation rule, which suggests family wealth often fades by the third generation unless actively managed. “It takes effort to transition ownership successfully,” she noted, stressing the need for a clear family purpose to unify generations.
Family business leaders Johan Andersson from Mellby Gård, a Swedish holding company, Ville Solja from Kiilto, a Finnish chemical products company, and Alexandra Ford Jebsen from KG Jebsen Group, a Norwegian shipping company, shared personal experiences. Andersson reflected on the responsibility of stepping into a family business: “Long-term thinking is key, but it should never mean being slow to act.” Solja stressed the role of open communication in maintaining strong family relationships, while Jebsen spoke about balancing business and family life: “I find it important to separate work mode from family mode and ensure we have time that’s just about family.”
Deal making and investment success
The summit also tackled investment strategies and market trends. Investor Henrik Lind (Lind Invest) highlighted the importance of alignment when investing: “Would you be proud to tell your kids you own this company? That question is a great guide when making investment decisions.” Dr. Klaus Hommels, a German venture capitalist active in Lakestar and the NATO Innovation Fund shared insights into Europe’s need for strategic investment in technology and innovation, emphasising the role of venture capital in shaping the future. He also challenged conventional due diligence in venture investing: “How can you apply traditional due diligence when investing in the future? It’s about intuition and analysing the likelihood of widespread adoption.”
The guiding principles of long-term ownership
Jacob Wallenberg, Chair of Investor AB and Vice Chair of FAM AB, closed the summit with reflections on the responsibilities of long-term owners. “For many, long-term means five years. For us within the Wallenberg ecosystem, it’s 105 years,” he stated. Quoting his ancestor, Marcus Wallenberg, he concluded: “To move from the old to what is about to come is the only tradition worth keeping” This philosophy has shaped a commitment to sustainability, digitalisation and innovation – ensuring resilience for generations to come.
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