Kekst CNC Stockholm, formerly JKL, marked the 40th anniversary of its Stockholm office with a gathering of clients, partners and colleagues at the historic Berns Hotel in central Stockholm. Founded in 1985, the Stockholm office has been a longstanding presence in Sweden’s strategic communications landscape and across the Nordic region.
The evening featured two panel discussions examining the Swedish business landscape and Nordic capital markets. The conversations offered an opportunity to reflect on Sweden’s role in the global economy, its business culture, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The first panel, moderated by Kekst CNC Director Stefan Nerpin, focused on the role of Swedish business in a global context. Participants included Kina Wileke, executive vice president for group communications at Volvo Group; Jessica Öberg, CEO of Combitech; and Axel Wernhoff, former Swedish ambassador to NATO. The discussion highlighted how Sweden’s open and innovation-driven business culture has supported cross-sector collaboration and the development of companies with strong global brand recognition.
The second panel, led by Kekst CNC Partner Malin Lundin, examined developments in the Swedish capital markets. Panelists included Adam Kostyal, chairman of Nasdaq Stockholm; Arba Kokalari, a member of the European Parliament; and Jan Olsson, CEO of Deutsche Bank in the Nordics. A central theme was Sweden’s position within the European Union as a market that supports innovation and broader societal development. Panelists also discussed Sweden’s potential role in modernizing European capital markets amid increasing global competition.
Across both discussions, resilience and strategic clarity emerged as recurring themes in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Speakers pointed to regulatory complexity, technological change and geopolitical uncertainty as factors shaping today’s business landscape. In this context, strategic communications were described as critical to building trust, articulating clear positions and maintaining public credibility.
The discussions underscored Kekst CNC Sweden’s long-standing focus on the intersection of business, capital markets, politics and media, and the continued relevance of strategic communications in that environment.
JKL was founded 40 years ago by Bo Jansson, Anders Kempe and Anders Lindberg with the aim of establishing a new category of communications consultancy in Sweden. While the firm has since changed its name, its mission - to help clients grow, transform and protect significant value - remains unchanged.