The Stockholm School of Economics Foundation

The Foundation

When SSE was founded in 1909, it was at the initiative of the Swedish business community, which recognized the need for higher education and research in response to the changes brought about by industrialization. Since then, support from the business community and private donors has played an important role in the School's development and independence.

The new foundation builds on this tradition. At a time of major societal change, its ambition is to establish a stable financial foundation that enables SSE to continue developing its education and research, regardless of political shifts, economic cycles, or short-term priorities. In doing so, the foundation aims to strengthen Sweden's and Europe's global competitiveness and capacity for innovation. Behind the initiative are four individuals who share a commitment to the School's future: Björn Nilsson, Lars Förberg, Thomas von Koch, and Magnus Tyreman.

The foundation takes a long-term perspective, with the intention of supporting the School in perpetuity. Its capital will be managed to grow and generate returns over time. The ambition is for the foundation to continue growing through contributions from donors, alumni, and organizations in Sweden and internationally.

About the founders

Björn Nilsson

Björn Nilsson became CEO of Gotlandsbolaget in 2025, having previously served as deputy chair of the board since 2018. He brings 30 years of experience in private equity and banking, including roles at Triton in London and Chase in New York. He returned to Sweden in 2019. Björn holds a degree in economics from Columbia University in New York. His family has a long-standing connection to Gotlandsbolaget dating back to the 1960s, when his father, Eric D. Nilsson, joined the company as an executive and owner.

 

“You don’t have to be an SSE alum to recognize what the School means to Sweden. I didn’t study there myself, but as a business leader I have seen the difference that SSE’s education and research make. Our ambition is to help lay the foundations for something will last for generations, and we hope many more will want to contribute over time.”

Lars Förberg

Lars Förberg is co-founder and Managing Partner at Cevian, a leading European investment firm focused on active ownership of publicly listed companies. He has more than 30 years of experience in investment and corporate governance and has previously worked at Nordic Capital and served as Chief Investment Officer at Custos. He has also held board positions at several international publicly listed companies, including ABB, Panalpina, and Danske Bank. Lars Förberg graduated from Stockholm School of Economics.

 

“The Stockholm School of Economics has meant a great deal to me, and I have supported it in the past. Now I want to make a more lasting contribution. This model gives the School a stable long-term financial foundation and the confidence to continue making bold decisions, regardless of economic cycles, changing trends, or political leadership.”

Thomas von Koch

Thomas von Koch is a Swedish investor and business leader with more than 30 years of experience in private equity. He was part of the original team that established EQT in 1994 and served as the firm’s CEO and Managing Partner from 2014 to 2019. He is one of the founders of the EQT Foundation and has served on several of EQT’s investment committees since 2019. Thomas von Koch also holds board positions, including at Bactiguard Holding AB. He graduated from Stockholm School of Economics and began his career at Investor AB.

 

“The Stockholm School of Economics is one of the few institutions in Sweden where the government does not control what is taught. Quality is what matters here. There are no tuition fees, only the best students, the best researchers, and the best ideas. That has been SSE’s strength for more than a century, and it should remain so. But meritocracy and political independence cannot be taken for granted. They must be protected, and that is what we are helping to do through the Foundation.”

Magnus Tyreman

Magnus Tyreman has been chair of the Board of the Stockholm School of Economics since 2024. He worked at McKinsey & Company from 1988 to 2023, including as Managing Partner of McKinsey Europe and a member of McKinsey’s global leadership team. Magnus holds a degree in business administration from Stockholm School of Economics and has also studied economics at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil.

 

“SSE’s mission to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness is more important than ever. To fulfill that mission, we need to be a world-class institution, and that requires substantial resources. Securing the School’s long-term funding is therefore one of the Board’s key responsibilities. I am very pleased with the support we have received for this important initiative.”

The Board and founders

The Board and founders of The Stockholm School of Economics Foundation.
From left to right: Staffan Boman (board), Thomas von Koch, Björn Nilsson, Lars Förberg, Magnus Tyreman, Louise Hedberg (board)

Chair of the Board: Björn Nilsson

Contact

Susanna Andersson
Email: susanna.andersson@wilton-row.com

Stiftelsen för Handelshögskolan i Stockholm
c/o Wilton Row, Box 512, 114 11 Stockholm