In Sweden's most influential financial family, a generational shift is underway. Over 30 people in the Wallenberg family are considered to belong to the family's new – sixth – generation. In recent years, several young heirs have been prepared and given positions in the foundations that control the family's wealth.
"But no one has been given a public role, for example in a large listed company. I think the younger generation needs to be tested, given public roles, meet journalists and shareholders. Several of them are in their 40s, but they are still being held away, says journalist Henrik Huldschiner, who has long followed the Wallenberg family, in Ekonomibyrån.
'Withheld'
Who will get prominent positions in the family empire is so far unclear, according to Henrik Huldschiner, but highlights a couple of future names that have previously circulated in several media outlets. Two top names are Stéphanie Gandet, who runs a law firm in France and sits on the board of one of the Wallenberg family's foundations. Martina Wallenberg, who works at SEB and is a board member of one of the family's foundations, has also been identified as a potential successor.
- They are being held away and I understand that. But I think you have to be thrown out in public," Huldschiner says.
Left Sweden
In the Stenbeck family, which has long governed the investment company Kinnevik, the future looks even more uncertain. In the podcast Dynastin, Svenska Dagbladet has told about how the siblings in the Stenbeck family have chosen to back away from the family's power company. Cristina Stenbeck, who took over when her father Jan Stenbeck died in 2002, no longer has an active role in the company and has left Sweden.
"What's fascinating about the Stenbeck family is that it feels like no one wants power. Cristina Stenbeck has basically abdicated and none of her siblings seem to be interested in succeeding her, says Jan Almgren, business reporter at Svenska Dagbladet.
Watch Ekonomibyrån's latest episode "Finansfamiljeerna" on SVT Play.