The Change Leader of the Year is an honorary award given to individuals who have initiated and driven change that has had an extraordinary positive impact on the organization, its employees, external stakeholders and Swedish society at large. There are a number of awards in Sweden and we are happy about that. Honoring people who have contributed in various ways to the development of society, entrepreneurship and other initiatives provides an extra incentive and sends the signal that ambition/talent/civil courage is recognized, appreciated and encouraged. We, the initiators of the award, believe that there is a lack of an award for those who have demonstrated one of the most demanding things in business - change management, which The Boston Consulting Group, Heidrick & Struggles and Interim Search work with daily from three different perspectives:

We believe that being an exemplary change leader means that you have initiated, driven and implemented changes that have had a major impact both on your own organization and externally. This often means that the person has managed complicated processes that require initiative, drive, strategic ability, leadership and the capacity and often courage to implement difficult decisions.

Initiative: The Change Leader of the Year is an honorary award given to individuals who have initiated and driven change that has had a positive impact on the organization, its employees and Swedish society at large.

CategoriesChange Leader of the Year is awarded to winners in three categories: small, medium and large companies.

CriteriaThe jury analyzed the nominations from three perspectives: internal impact, external impact and personality. The members of the jury comes from Interim Search, Heidrick & Stuggles and The Boston Consulting Group

From left: Joakim Stenqvist, Infraservice, Kai Wärn, Husqvarna Group and Stefan von Stein, Campadre

Winner in the small company category: Joakim Stenqvist, Infraservice

Motivation of the jury:

The change leader has proven that innovation is possible in even the most traditional industries. Under his leadership, the company has experienced very strong growth, doubling its turnover in 2015 while maintaining high margins. Profits have been largely reinvested, including in one of the largest private investments in machinery that will have a major positive impact on local infrastructure in the future. During the year, the company underwent changes in its organizational model with new managers and a strengthened board, increased the degree of internationalization through innovative ways of winning new business and continuously strengthened the company's systems and structures to support continued growth. Driving these changes in a traditional industry has been made possible by active leadership, which in 2015 evolved from being largely operational in previous years to working more effectively through the company's managers.

The criteria for the award is to have driven a major change that has had a positive impact on the company, both externally and internally, and Swedish society at large. The three winners have had a positive impact on the internal organization, and on the company's external environment, as well as an exemplary personality in terms of driving complex change management

Stefan Granqvist CEO & Partner Interim Search.

Winner in the medium-sized company category: Stefan von Stein, Campadre

Motivation of the jury:

The change leader has had a very positive impact as CEO of the e-commerce company and has in his short time in the company increased sales growth by 40 % and improved operating profit by over SEK 11 million while maintaining gross margin. The results have been achieved through a battery of measures that included a new management team and recruited new skills in marketing, finance and IT. Stefan has worked to streamline internal processes, expand the product range, significantly increase the company's digital presence and improve the company's IT platform, which is an important hub in the business. He has implemented these changes and managed to turn the company around thanks to a positive attitude and leadership that got both staff and partners on board.

We hope the award will inspire the winners and their companies and highlight the importance of change management for the future success of organizations

Elise Andström Partner Heidrick & Struggles

Winner in the large company category: Kai Wärn, Husqvarna Group

Motivation of the jury:

The change leader has realized significant improvements in a large and proud company. Since the change leader took over, the company has quickly shown improved margins, growth and improved return on equity and capital employed. A focused improvement program, Accelerated Improvement Program, was launched early. The company has been reorganized with a brand-driven logic. The strong results include a very impressive shareholder performance with returns above the market index and peers. Under the change leader's leadership, the company has delivered an annual total shareholder return of close to 20 % during the years 2013-Jan 2016, compared to the OMX 30 which delivered around 5 % average return during the same period.

We recognize that change and innovation are critical success factors for companies to remain competitive and profitable and with this award we want to recognize the leaders who have succeeded in driving and implementing changes that have had a major positive impact

Johan Öberg CEO The Boston Consulting Group in Sweden

Stefan shares insights into change management from the perspective of Interim Management.

“The trend has evolved from hiring interim managers to “hold the fort”, i.e. not drive change, to the opposite. Today, many companies use Interim Management as a strategic tool and hire us to put together a team of interim consultants to drive comprehensive change programs together”

120 participants were on hand to discuss the topic of Change Management and to honor the evening's winners

Participants were divided into these job categories

Atelier 23, at the top of the DN building, offered an outstanding view. As the icing on the cake, the sun came out

Contact:

Wictor Bonde, Interim Search; wictor@interimsearch.se, +46 (0) 70 555 30 24

Anna Linnerud, The Boston Consulting Group; linnerud.anna@bcg.com, +46 (0) 73 079 44 40

Elise Andström, Heidrick & Struggles; eandstrom@heidrick.com, +46 (8) 406 71 00

More information: www.AretsForandringsledare.se