ABOUT ME
Lunch at Historic Sweetings: Blending Tradition and Business Wisdom in the Heart of London’s Financial District

Lunch at Historic Sweetings: Blending Tradition and Business Wisdom in the Heart of London’s Financial District

Feb 5, 2024 | Board of Directors, Joakim

Lunchtime at my hidden secret, Sweetings — a traditional British seafood restaurant located at 39 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, operating at its current location since 1889. As per my ritual, I begin with their signature Black Velvet, a Guinness and champagne cocktail, followed by a Chardonnay from Burgundy paired with their exquisite fish in mustard sauce. It’s a splendid time, and I take great pride in presenting this almost unchanged menu, spanning 130 years, to my guests.

After lunch, the board will engage in a hands-on workshop to dissect the decline of one of the world’s largest companies alongside the British Empire. The key question: What lessons can we learn from this historical parallel?

This area around Bank station in London, seamlessly merging its deep historical roots with a vibrant present, offers a unique tapestry of cultural, historical, and business threads, mirroring the city’s diverse persona. It serves as a vivid window into the peak of the Empire, offering an insightful narrative into the financial hub during the era when the sun never set on the imperial United Kingdom.

Presenting a 20th Century Primrose Badge: A Reflection on the Historical Legacy of the Primrose League

Presenting a 20th Century Primrose Badge: A Reflection on the Historical Legacy of the Primrose League

Nov 19, 2023 | Joakim, My badge

Today, I am wearing my vintage primrose badge from the early 20th century, bought at an auction.

The Primrose League was a British civic organization founded during the Victorian era, primarily by Lord Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s father. Its creation was inspired by the death of Benjamin Disraeli, a Conservative statesman and former Prime Minister, who was associated with the primrose as his favorite flower. It was notable for being one of the first civic organizations to actively recruit and involve women, a revolutionary approach at the time.

Strategic Business Developer and Board Member with a Flair for Storytelling

Strategic Business Developer and Board Member with a Flair for Storytelling

Sep 29, 2023 | Business design, Communication, Joakim

In my business assignments, I often produce presentations and create company descriptions or information memorandums to realize the value of companies, as well as their upcoming growth and business development. With a background that combines graphic design, business development, and board membership—along with a track record of several share issues and growth journeys in both listed and growth companies—I possess the ability to identify the right details and craft compelling business narratives.

Additionally, I am someone who always brings an extra level of detail to every meeting.

The cufflinks I wear today are from a semi-independent order of chivalry, linked to one of the former imperial or royal courts in Europe. Take note of the two-barred cross, also known as the Cross of Lorraine. Béla III was the first monarch to use the two-barred cross, a symbol that even appeared on the coinage of the Byzantine Empire during the time of the reign of Emperor Justinian II. This symbol later made its way to Western Europe via the House of Anjou and became known as the Cross of Lorraine. Notably, the Cross of Lorraine was also used as a symbol of Free France during World War II.

You’ll be the hero of the neighbourhood

You’ll be the hero of the neighbourhood

Sep 16, 2023 | Joakim

Now it’s time to prepare a classic Singapore Sling in a highball glass. The retro glass, dating from the 1940s/1950s, features telling engravings. It belonged to my maternal grandfather—a true working-class hero and loyal GAIS supporter (the local team in Gothenburg, dating back to 1894).

He was also the neighborhood hero. Amidst the turmoil of World War Two, he served in his own resistance, attempting to prevent military forces from external powers from using our railway to wage a war of aggression against our neighboring country.

Embracing Cosmopolitan Lifestyle: The Perfect Fusion of Business and Leisure

Embracing Cosmopolitan Lifestyle: The Perfect Fusion of Business and Leisure

Jul 31, 2023 | Joakim

I thrive on the blend of business and leisure, fully immersing myself in the atmosphere of each host city. I effortlessly merge business interactions with the vibrancy of street life, embodying the cosmopolitan lifestyle in all its glory.

A Day in Hamburg.

At 8 AM, I head to Jungfernstieg station via U-Bahn. I enjoy breakfast at Alex cafe, bistro, bar, and restaurant at Alsterpavillon, where I take pleasure in the view of Alster lake while reading today's newspaper (picture 1). After breakfast, I go for a leisurely walk around Binnenalster, one of Hamburg's artificial lakes, starting from Ballindamm, a boulevard in the inner city. Along the way, I pass by the Hapag-Lloyd building and the headquarters of various private banks. The street is abuzz with activity, a blend of rushing business people and laid-back locals enjoying the morning air. The aroma of coffee wafting from nearby cafes, the crisp morning air, the melodic chatter of passersby, and the architectural elegance of the buildings all contribute to the distinct charm of this street. I conclude my stroll at Neuer Jungfernstieg, a riverside promenade on the west bank of Binnenalster.

If I have a meeting or some spare time, I combine the walk with a longer path to visit the last British colony on the Continent. As a reciprocal member of the Anglo-German Club, located in the heart of the sophisticated Harvestehude district, I meet other members who are socially involved, valuing and cultivating civility in their interactions. This club, steeped in history, serves as a hub for intellectual and cultural exchanges in an impressive villa complete with a lush garden.

A shorter walk just around Binnenalster and Neuer Jungfernstieg, with the tinkling of coffee cups from the outdoor cafés and the serene hum of the city in the background, makes Neuer Jungfernstieg a delightful and relaxing culmination to my stroll. This route includes a visit to my other reciprocal club, Übersee-Club. This prestigious venue, situated in a grand old building, attracts outstanding minds from the worlds of commerce, politics, culture, and learning – a "talking gallery," to quote famous banker Max M. Warburg at the association's founding assembly in 1922. It's a perfect place to set up business meetings. This is a classic club with a long history of events featuring well-regarded speakers from around the world.

I then return to Jungfernstieg Promenade and the stunning Alsterhaus, part of the KaDeWe Group. Alsterhaus today extends over an area of 24,000 m² in an exclusive ambiance, blending a historic building with a modern interior. The Fashion floors of Alsterhaus follow the basic concept of the building, combining tradition with local identity and international influences. Alsterhaus is more than just a department store—it's an institution in Hamburg, representing the city's flair for fashion and quality.

Later, I visit Eric: Barbier, our barbershop on the 1st floor, where one can find everything for men, from haircuts to beard correction to pedicures (picture 2).

My day ends with a late lunch on the 4th floor, a haven for curious and discerning gourmets (picture 3).