VL Annual Theme 24/25
Do we have a unique Danish growth model and key to the future?

Listen to VL’s own podcast which focuses on the Annual Theme.

 

 

VL Annual Summit

27 May 2025

 

Theme and Focus:

In a time marked by global uncertainty and rapid changes in technology, climate, demographics, and economy, we as leaders have a responsibility to ensure that our companies and societies are prepared for future challenges. In the coming year, we at the Danish Management Society will therefore focus on a central theme: How do we make the Danish societal model the answer to the major challenges of the future? We will explore this through various activities, including regional meetings, podcasts, and the VL Annual Summit.

 

Goals:

To identify the potentials in the Danish societal model, emphasizing strong interaction between the private and public sectors and a trust-based societal and leadership culture. We focus on what it would take to further develop the unique model to tackle the major challenges of the future and strengthen Danish business life and competitiveness.

 

Key Areas:

1. Collaboration between the public and private sectors. We find the successful partnerships within health, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation which create value for Danish society. We look at how broad agreements like “Den Grønne Trepart” combine society’s need for long-term solutions with companies’ responsibility towards sustainability and climate.

2. Leadership and corporate culture in a trust-based society. We delve into what distinguishes Danish leadership from leadership and corporate culture in other countries. Is the trust-based model precisely the solution to the future labour market or the obstacle to keeping pace with development? We explore the importance of openness, transparency, and employee involvement for innovation and competitiveness.

3. Business strengths. We seek examples of how the Danish societal model can contribute to Denmark’s future growth areas in green technology, digital innovation, medicine, and high-quality food. How can the Danish societal model be used to help Danish companies develop new sustainable business models with a healthy and innovative work environment? Where are our future competitive strengths?

4. SMEs’ local social responsibility: We highlight how small and medium-sized companies play a crucial role in the Danish societal model and contribute to local communities through innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.

By Lisbeth Knudsen, Former Board Chair of VL

 

VL’s Annual Theme Kick-Off and General Assembly
2 October 2024

 

Advisory Board 2024/2025

VL has invited an Advisory Board consisting of top executives, experts and researchers to be idea generators and co-creators in the unfolding of VL’s Annual Theme and the VL Summit.

In VL, we always have a primary focus on leadership and on business, and since we want different angles and perspectives on the Annual Theme, the Advisory Board is specially selected in relation to the industry or field of expertise in which they operate.

We are inspired by the Advisory Board and use their experiences as inspiration to find headlines, presenters and podcasts leading up to the VL Summit on 27 May 2025.

We are grateful to receive invaluable advice and sparring from the following members of this year’s Advisory Board:​

André Thormann

André Thormann

CEO, 360 Finance Network

Biography

André Thormann works as an equity analyst at Danske Bank, where he specializes in food and beverage companies. In addition to his work at the bank, he is a co-founder of 360 Finance Network, host of the podcasts Rig på Viden and Karriereklubben. Furthermore, he is a co-founder of Board Talent and an external lecturer in financial analysis at Copenhagen Business School.

Christina Hvid

Christina Hvid

CEO, Molio, VL46

Biography

In 2019, Christina Hvid joined Molio as CEO. Molio is a gathering hub for the development of shared digital tools, standards, and knowledge within construction, which streamlines construction processes and increases digitalization as well as a green transition.

Christina has dealt intensively with management, board work, innovation, and digitalization in her well over 20 years as CEO in Danish business life. She has, among other things, been CEO of Symbion A/S and Rejseplanen A/S, and as CEO of Danske Slagterier, Christina was instrumental in the formation of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council.

Christina also has more than 20 years of active board work behind her and is currently Chair of the Board of Fonden Hornbæk Kunstmuseum and Board Member of the IT University in Copenhagen and in buildingSMART International, headquartered in London. In addition, she is active in a number of advisory boards, steering groups, boards of representatives, etc. and often speaks at conferences and congresses with messages about digitalization and standardized methods as a prerequisite for more sustainability and a green transition in construction.

Christina holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and has since supplemented with management courses from i.e., Insead, Wharton and Copenhagen Business School. In 2008, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Jesper Nygård

Jesper Nygård

CEO, Realdania, VL2, Board Chair, VL

Biography

Jesper Nygård has been CEO of Realdania since 2013.

He also holds the position of chairman of the board of Realdania By & Byg. Jesper Nygård is a member of the board of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40 Cities), a member of the 2030 panel and chairman of The Honorary Committee of the World Congress of Architects Copenhagen.

He became a member of the board at Realdania in 2003 and chairman of the board in 2009 but withdrew from the board in 2013 when he became CEO of Realdania.

Prior to joining Realdania, Jesper Nygård was CEO of the housing company KAB from 1996-2013 and was chairman of the National Building Foundation (Landsbyggefonden) from 2000-2013 as well as a board member of Boligselskabernes Landsforening (today BL – Danmarks Almene Boliger) for 23 years. He has also been a board member in i.a. Brøndby IF A/S, Danish Architecture Center, the Foundation for Social Responsibility and chairman of i.a. Bolius.

Jesper Nygård participates in debating activities, gives many lectures and holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from Roskilde University in 1989 and has more than +25 years of leadership experience.

Kasper Egelund

Kasper Egelund

CEO, Vipp, VL2

Biography

Kasper Egelund has worked in the family-owned company Vipp for the last 25 years, where he has held positions such as Marketing Director, President of the New York branch, and Board Member. For the past 13 years, Kasper Egelund has been the CEO of Vipp, which he owns together with his mother and sister.

Kasper Egelund holds a Master’s degree in Design & Communication from Copenhagen Business School, which he obtained in 2004.

Katrine Winding

Katrine Winding

Director General, Danish Business Authority

Biography

Katrine Winding has been Director General of the Danish Business Authority since 2017.

The Danish Business Authority works to make it simple and attractive to run a responsible business in Denmark. The authority handles a broad portfolio of tasks both nationally and internationally, focusing on delivering efficient and digital business services, developing and enforcing simple business regulations, and strengthening the framework for growth and development throughout Denmark.

Katrine holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Aarhus University and has a background in the ministry area since 2001.

Klaus Holse

Klaus Holse

Board Chair, Danish Industry, VL16

Biography

Klaus Holse has a broad international management background with more than 20 years of experience in IT and software. He is currently Chairman of the Confederation of Danish Industry and Vice Chair of GN Group. He is also Chairman of the economic intelligence company Macrobond Financial; in the visual storytelling tools company Vizrt Group; in the software company EG; and in the CRM platform company SuperOffice. In addition,he has previously held the positions of CEO of SimCorp for 9 years, Corporate VP at Microsoft, and Senior VP at Oracle.

Line Christa Amanda Sørensen

Line Christa Amanda Sørensen

CCO, Trifork, VL81

Biography

Line Christa Amanda Sørensen is a tech executive and investor with 20 years in the tech industry. Her focus is emerging tech and its impact on societies, companies, and individuals – whether from an ethical, financial, or security perspective. With a particular interest in AI and quantum tech, she works with the commercialization of early tech, tech funding, and scaling tech both within and across industries as different as manufacturing, finance, and digital health. She has co-founded a number of executive networks which focuses on emerging tech, tech investment, and societal transformation, a.o. Fintech Inner Circle, Nordic Fintech Angels, Burning Snowman, Forum for Emerging Tech.

Lisbeth Knudsen

Lisbeth Knudsen

Strategy Director, Altinget & Mandag Morgen, VL1

Biography

Cross-cutting Editor-in-Chief for Mandag Morgen and Altinget. Responsible Editor-in-Chief for tjekdet.dk. Chairman of the Board of the Danish School of Media and Journalism. Member of the Board of NIRAS Group A/S, ENIGMA – Post, Tele and Communications Museum, the Illum Foundation, and the representative body for Danish Marketing. Trained journalist. Leadership positions for more than 40 years. CEO experiences with boards of all kinds from start-up companies to politically owned companies, to traditional business companies, international private ownership, and international private equity ownership. Former CEO of the Berlingske Media Group and responsible editor-in-chief of Berlingske. Former news director and member of the management of Danmarks Radio. Former managing director and responsible editor-in-chief of A/S A-pressen and Det Fri Aktuelt. Former member of the board of Danske Medier and chairman of the board. Former editor-in-chief, business editor, and political editor at Berlingske Tidende.

Merethe Eckhardt

Merethe Eckhardt

Director of Development, Danish Courts Agency, VL47

Biography

Merethe Eckhardt is director of development at the Danish Courts Agency, former deputy director at the Danish Broadcasting Company and former lawyer at Plesner.

With a legal degree and +25 years of leadership experience behind her, Merethe Eckhardt has worked with strategy, innovation, execution and top management as well as with digitalisation and artificial intelligence in the public and private sector in and outside Denmark. She has a large international network and has worked with organisations, companies and people in large parts of the world and is often a speaker at conferences and congresses abroad.

Merethe Eckhardt holds a post-graduate at MBA level from Warton, Insead and Stanford Research Institute, just as she has completed board training on commercial foundations at Copenhagen Business School and the Global Board Leadership Masterclass at CBS Executive Fonden.

Over the past several years, she has sat on boards within design, culture, media and the judiciary, including Knud Holscher Design (chair) and Dubberman (chair).

Merethe Eckhardt is currently board chair in Dansehallerne and Teatergrad, as well as a board member in ZetlandDanner, ERA (Academy of European Law), an expert in the Council of Europe, a member of CEPEJ in the same place and a member of the radio and television board.

Nikolaj Hoff

Nikolaj Hoff

Founder and CEO, Nordic Solar A/S, VL10

Biography

Nikolaj has more than 20 years of experience in investments as well as management and operation of companies. He has worked for Aarsoe Nielsen & Partners/AT Kearney, IC Companys, the Velux Group, and the private equity fund SR Private Brands, which he established in 2005. Nikolaj is currently the CEO of Nordic Solar, which he founded in 2010. Nordic Solar develops, builds, and operates solar parks in 12 countries in Europe and is owned by over 700 private shareholders. Nikolaj is a former board member of the Semler Group, Dulong Fine Jewelry, Unidrain, and former chairman of the board of Nørrebro Bryghus and Ticket to Heaven.

Troels Blicher Danielsen

Troels Blicher Danielsen

Director, Danish Mechanical and Electrical Contractors Association, VL47

Biography

Troels Blicher Danielsen is Director of TEKNIQ, a business and employer organization representing the technical industry, which is the driving force behind sustainable and digital growth in Denmark. Under Troels’ leadership, TEKNIQ has undergone a digital transformation focusing on creating data-driven consulting, including the introduction of generative AI-based consulting for its members. Before becoming CEO, Troels had more than 15 years of experience from Slotsholmen, where he held roles such as department head in the Ministry of Employment, deputy director in the Danish Maritime Authority, and office manager in the Ministry of Business, Industry and Financial Affairs. Since June 2024, Troels has also been the chairman of the board of DanPilot (a state-owned pilotage company).