IVA’s Great Gold Medal 2025: Carl-Henric Svanberg – a visionary with global reach
For decades, Carl-Henric Svanberg has stood at the helm of some of Sweden’s – and the world’s – most successful industrial companies. With a rare blend of technical insight, business acumen and strong communication, he has helped shape Assa Abloy, Ericsson, BP and Volvo into global market leaders.
Born in 1952 in Porjus, Carl-Henric Svanberg holds a master’s degree in Engineering Physics from Linköping University and a degree in Business Administration from Uppsala University. This combination of engineering and economics has defined his entire career.
Svanberg began his professional journey as a trainee engineer at ASEA in Västerås, where he soon took on roles in export operations for power and metallurgical plants. This early experience laid the foundation for his deep understanding of technology’s role in global industry.
In 1986, he became CEO of Securitas’ alarm business. When Securitas later acquired the Assa Group and merged it with the Finnish company Abloy, Assa Abloy was born. As Group CEO from 1994 to 2003, Svanberg oversaw more than 100 acquisitions, expanding turnover from SEK 3 billion to SEK 27 billion and profit from SEK 50 million to SEK 2 billion. Under his leadership, Assa Abloy became a world leader in locks and security solutions.
Ericsson and the telecom revolution
When he took over Ericsson in 2003, the telecom giant was in crisis. Through determined restructuring and renewed investment in innovation, he led the company back to profitability. By the time he stepped down in 2009, Ericsson held a global market share of 30–35 per cent in mobile networks –twice that of its nearest competitor.
International influence: BP and Volvo
His international leadership continued as Chairman of BP (2010–2018) and of AB Volvo (2012–2024), guiding both companies through significant transformation and growth.
Academic recognition and public engagement
Svanberg is an Honorary Doctor at both Luleå University of Technology and Linköping University. He also chaired Sweden’s AI Commission, which in 2024 presented the report AI Commission’s Roadmap for Sweden – a key contribution to shaping the nation’s future AI strategy.
A long-standing Fellow of IVA’s Division for Management since 2001, Svanberg also served as IVA’s Chair from 2017 to 2021, highlighting his continued commitment to Swedish industry, academia and competitiveness.
“In the end, it all comes down to people. How do you unlock everyone’s energy, so that they come to work with a spring in their step – because they want to make a difference, because they truly care about what they do? Having a job like that is one of life’s greatest privileges."
Carl-Henric Svanberg
Citation for IVA’s Great Gold Medal
Industrial leader and Honorary Doctor Carl-Henric Svanberg is awarded IVA’s Great Gold Medal for his outstanding contributions to the development and international profile of major Swedish companies. He is one of Sweden’s most successful business leaders and one of the most prominent figures in Swedish industry, with a strong commitment to society.
IVAs Great Gold Medal
For more than a century, IVA has celebrated excellence in technology, economics, business and society by awarding Gold Medals to people who, through their outstanding achievements, have helped to create a better society.
IVA's Great Gold Medal is awarded to the person who has made a particularly outstanding deed within the academy's field of activity.
Learn more on IVAs Gold Medals
