The Next Generation Leaders

The Next Generation Leaders is a twelve-month mentorship programme, offering a unique opportunity for professionals to benefit from exchanges of knowledge, experience and skills across generations and sectors. This exclusive programme includes group workshops, high-level networking, and one-on-one mentoring sessions with accomplished senior industry professionals from the Swedish-British business community.

Contents of the programme

This twelve months programme connects ambitious talents with experienced international business professionals from across all fields and sectors. The mentors are all experts in their fields, and have international business experience.

The programme includes a series of four joint group workshops and seminars, facilitated by the course director, and involving both mentors and mentees. In addition, mentors and mentees meet for one-to-one mentoring sessions over the course of the year, whether it’s face to face, over Zoom or phone. The programme is open to London based mentee applicants, ideally a couple of years into their career. All members of the Chamber, including Young Professionals, enjoy the discounted price.

The Programme will help you to

Accelerate your personal and professional development
Gain unique insight into the London business community and business culture
Advance towards your existing career goals and aspirations
Identify new areas of professional interest and/or career paths
Develop new business skills, knowledge and tools
Develop your personal brand
Grow your professional network

An invaluable 12-month accelerator

“The Next Generation Leaders Programme at the Swedish Chamber was an invaluable 12-month accelerator that supported my cross-cultural career development and leadership growth. Over the year, I had the opportunity to specifically work with my mentor to broaden my perspective on Anglo-Swedish collaboration in digital health and life sciences. The programme challenged me to think globally, connect across cultures, and explore new approaches to leadership. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow their skills in an international context.”

Jake Marshall, Head of Life Sciences and Public Sector Partnerships, Data for R&D, NHS England

Invaluable in educating me on differences and widening my outlook

"It has been a true honour to be the only mentor on every annual programme since its inception 9 years ago and to make connections with fantastic mentees and fellow mentors. Having many years’ experience as an M&A lawyer in the City and Co-founded the first law UK law firm to not record time or have hourly rates, I have been able to advise on many aspects of career development including entrepreneurship and innovation that do not typically go hand in hand with lawyers. Meeting people at earlier stages of their careers and from different backgrounds outside of a formal work setting has been invaluable in educating me on differences and widening my outlook."

Richard Hildebrand, Co-Founder, TandonHildebrand

A great chance to help the next generation flourish

"I strongly recommend this programme, both for mentees and mentors. As a qualified executive coach I have been really impressed by the way the programme balances one-to-one mentoring with broader networking. For the mentee it means they get the chance of in-depth mentoring, whilst also being able to network with their fellow mentees and other mentors. For the mentors, it's a great chance to help the next generation flourish - which can be hugely rewarding."

Mark Prisk, Former Business and Housing Minister & MP

This experience has imparted invaluable skills that I am eager to apply on my professional path

Participating in the Next Generation Leaders programme has significantly enriched my early career journey. The programme's dynamic structure, fostering both group discussions with mentees and mentors, along with personalised one-on-one sessions, proved particularly beneficial. These tailored interactions allowed me to delve into specific areas where I sought guidance. A pivotal lesson I learned is the importance of embracing opportunities without hesitation. This mindset of saying "yes" to new challenges, as emphasised by the programme, is a principle I now prioritise, confident that it will catalyse my ongoing professional growth.”

Annabel Daisley

Discussing potential changes in my professional career

“I cherished the opportunity of having an ally, to whom I could turn to for advice, as well as discussing potential changes in my professional career. The ability to air career choices and opportunities with someone more experienced than yourself and with your best interest in mind was very empowering.”

Lucas Fernström, Regional Vice President, Salesforce, Mentee

A good investment in yourself

“I would highly recommend the programme as it is a great opportunity to have someone to discuss personal and professional goals with whilst getting guidance and motivation doing so. It is a good investment in yourself for your future developments.”

Anna Tranchell, Event Marketing Manager, Redbull, Mentee

An environment to learn from each other

"This was a unique opportunity to get access to such qualified mentors for young professionals. It was a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds that really provided an environment to learn from each other and grow professionally."

William Ranby, Management Consultant, Accenture, Mentee

Great support to move forward in my career

"Having a mentor to discuss both strategic and situational topics with was great support to move forward in my career. Thanks to the close and open relationship my mentor and I created, I dared to ask those tricky questions which resulted in me daring to take extra steps in my position. The mentorship opened up more new relationships, in addition to my mentor, which has given inspiration and new knowledge."

Anna Rydberg, Sales Manager, Candela, Mentee

Putting knowledge into practice

"The programme was a really positive experience which has helped build my confidence. The thing that surprised me most, was that I was actually very familiar with all the topics we covered, but I wasn’t making enough time to really live them as part of my role. My mentor was not only helpful and insightful, but taught me the importance of putting knowledge into practice and supported me to do this – which has made a significant difference to my confidence, how I interact with my stakeholders and feel so much more positive about my career aspirations."

Caroline Denholm, Divisional Head of Communications for building operations, Skanska, Mentee

Great learning and networking opportunity for both mentees and mentors

"Participating in this programme is a great learning and networking opportunity for both mentees and mentors. We live for a fast-paced world and non-stop learning and collaboration needs to be top of the list for everyone. And this is a great, dynamic, welcoming place to do it. I have loved being one of the mentors and warmly recommend the programme to anyone who wants to be and achieve more."

Elisabet Vinberg Hearn, CEO, Katapult Partners & Director, Think Solutions

Good opportunity to expand your business network

"I want to recommend this programme as it is a good opportunity to expand your business network and meet interesting people. It is also well structured with highly relevant content. As a mentor, you have an opportunity to have engaging discussions with your mentee and make a difference in giving advice and steer. It is also an opportunity to develop yourself and get new experience from other businesses and people. For me, it has been refreshing meeting young professionals and to understand their view on things. Overall it was an enjoyable experience that I advise more people should try."

Patrik Högberg, Mentor, Novare Leadership Academy

Mentors 2025-2026

Richard Hildebrand

Co-Founder, TandonHildebrand

Richard Hildebrand specialises in all aspects of corporate work and in particular UK corporate finance transactions and UK and International mergers and acquisitions (both public and private). He is also experienced in other areas of corporate work including joint ventures, commercial contracts and general company advice. Richard has been particularly active in the Alternative Investment Market advising new entrants, listed companies and nominated advisers/brokers on a wide range of transactions across a variety of industry sectors.

Tania Tandon

Co-Founder, TandonHildebrand

Entrepreneur and co-Founder of TandonHildebrand - a legal and business advisory service firm. Learn more about the business at www.tandonhildebrand.com.

Erik Wenngren

Spintop Ventures

Erik is a co-Founder of Spintop Ventures, an EIF-backed Nordic seed-stage VC with 15 years of experience empowering software-based tech companies to drive sustainable transformational change. Erik has supported numerous early-stage companies across Europe including enjoying the full investment journey with several unicorns.

Prior to Spintop, Erik worked at senior level positions in the financial industry at BNP Paribas, SEB and Danske Bank managing over 100 IPO’s.

London-based Erik has an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a Fulbright Scholar.

Rachel Bridges

Alfa Laval UK

Rachel is the Managing Director of Alfa Laval UK & Ireland. Alfa Laval is a global leader in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling technologies, providing sustainable solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact across industries such as energy, food, water, and marine.

Prior to joining Alfa Laval, Rachel worked for a diesel engine manufacturer in various roles in the marine segment and worked her way up from an admin role up to leading the global segment. She is American by birth, but has lived in the UK for 18 years and considers herself a hybrid.

Programme Director

Elisabet Vinberg Hearn

Co-founder Think Solutions & AI Forum Advisory Board member

Elisabet is a leadership strategist and business owner with extensive experience in how to build winning cultures and teams, facilitating change success with client organisations all around the world. She has co-written three multi-award-winning leadership books, including Amazon bestselling “The Leader’s Guide to Impact” (FT Publishing). Her 4^th book ‘Supercharged Leader: Develop your mind and skillset to deal with anything’ will be released by Pearson Business May 2024. Elisabet is a leading voice on future leadership, leading transformation, cultural differences in an international world, and inclusive and innovative business cultures.

Application

The Next Generation Leaders Mentorship Programme 2025-2026 is now open for applications. Please apply before the 25th of August 2025. The programme will start in September 2025 and finishes in August/September 2026.

Please include your CV and a cover letter or motivation letter with your application. In your cover letter, we ask that you describe your professional goals and ambitions, explain why you would like to participate in the programme, and share what you hope to gain from the experience.

Email dennis.hjelm@scc.org.uk your interest.

Participation fees

Young Professional or SCC UK member: £595 + VAT

Non-members: £1190 + VAT

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