APAC SwedCham Webinar: CEO Talk: Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab Group

Over the past few years, the global defence industry has undergone significant transformations.  Long-standing geopolitical alliances have shifted, new economic powerhouses have risen, and emerging technologies have revolutionised warfare.  These factors have not only reshaped the way nations perceive security but also altered the very nature of defence manufacturing and strategy.

In order to keep citizens safe, the defence industry in 2023 is under pressure to keep pace of both rapidly developing technology and evolving shifts on the geopolitical stage.  This includes staying ahead in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous solutions, and robotics while also contending with the ever-growing challenges posed by asymmetric threats, cyber warfare, and the escalating significance of climate change in defence planning.  These challenges require highly agile organisations that can quickly adjust to new ways of working and have firmly established innovation as a key success factor.

We are delighted to welcome Micael Johansson​, President and CEO of Saab Group​, as our guest at our next SwedCham APAC CEO Talk.  Mr Johansson will share with us how he sees the role of the defence industry in our society today and outline his key strategic priorities for Saab Group.  He will also comment on how current geopolitical uncertainties impact the company and what he considers as crucial measures in order to continue to keep our world a safe place.

The conversation with Mr Johansson will be led by Meia Nouwens​, Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernization at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)​.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 8 November 2023

Time: 14:00 - 15:00 (GMT +7)

Online: Links will be sent to participants before the event starts

Ticket: Free

Access: SweCham Members only

Remark

This webinar is open to SweCham members only.  If you would like to become a member, please send a query to secretary@swecham.com, and we will send you more information about member benefits!

About the Speaker and Moderator

Speaker

Micael Johansson, President and CEO Saab AB

Mr Micael Johansson is President and CEO of the Swedish defence and security company Saab.  He is a member of Saab Group Management.  He took up his position on 23 October 2019.

Mr Johansson brings around 40 years of experience within engineering, sensor systems and defence.  He is an experienced leader and has served within many different areas and at many different levels of Saab AB through the years.  Most recently, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO for Saab AB.  Before that, he served as Senior Vice President and head of business area Surveillance, comprising Saab’s operations within Radar, Electronic Warfare, Command and Control and Traffic Management systems.  

Since 2023, he has been Vice Chairman of the Board of ASD – Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe.

Mr Johansson started his career as a systems engineer in 1985.  After that, he held various management positions at Saab Avionics (then known as Ericsson Saab Avionics).  In 2008, he was appointed President of Saab Avitronics and in January 2010 Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

He is active on a global level within Saab through various positions and boards within Saab, giving him a unique platform for involvement in the business in countries such as the USA, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Mr Johansson holds a BSc+ in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Uppsala, Sweden and various management training, e.g. at IFL Executive Education and Investor Forum Novare.

Moderator

Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, UK

Ms Meia Nouwens leads cross-departmental research on China across the Institute's five offices.  She leads IISS research on China's Digital Silk Road and Belt and Road Initiative.  Meia's expertise lies in Chinese security and defence analysis, innovation, as well as China's regional strategic affairs and international relations.

Prior to commencing at IISS, she worked for the European External Action Service.  She has previously worked in private-sector consulting firms and international organisations on foreign policy, security and defence topics.

Ms Nouwens holds a BA Hons in international relations and political science from Macquarie University, a master's in international relations and diplomacy from Leiden University in conjunction with the Clingendael Institute, and an MPhil in modern Chinese studies from the University of Oxford and Peking University.  She is bilingual in English and Dutch and proficient in Mandarin, Spanish and French.  Ms Nouwens has been featured in the Financial Times, Politico, The Washington Post, Reuters, Bloomberg UK, Breaking Defense, Defense News, BBC, The Japan Times, Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat, The Economist, NOS, Prospect Magazine, The Guardian, The Telegraph, among other news organisations.