Fika with Impact Loop's new head of news: "Hitting the ground running is the best way to start"

You started here on Wednesday, the same day Northvolt's board decided to put the battery company into administration. How was that?

"Hitting the ground running is the best way to start, haha. I simply had to dive in and try to contribute in the best way possible. A news team is tested when major events occur, and this gave me my first insight into how Impact Loop functions in truly critical situations. Quick conclusion: I was impressed."

What have you done previously?

"Local journalism is where I have my foundation. For almost ten years, I worked with local newspapers in Stockholm and the now-defunct news site StockholmDirekt.se. Most recently, I was Premium content manager at Swedish Dagens Samhälle, and before that, I was Head of news at DN Sthlm."

Why did you want to join Impact Loop?

"I'm drawn to being part of this media industry challenger that also covers an exciting sector. The fact that everyone working at Impact Loop are nice and inspiring makes it all the better."

Tell us something no one knows about you!

"'No one' might be a stretch, but I once attempted to move to Los Angeles to pursue rock music. The money lasted six weeks."

If you suddenly gained a superpower, which one would it be?

"I'd want super-growth power! I could touch something, and suddenly it would grow in a surprising and powerful way. It could be used both for gardening and as a way to help people in urgent need. For example, I could transform a dandelion into a ladder and rescue someone stuck on a roof who couldn't get down."

You have extensive experience as a Head of News. What's the biggest news event you've covered?

"Russia's war in Ukraine broke out during my time at the Swedish morning paper Dagens Nyheter. Although it can't be described as a local news event, it was something we all concentrated on in the beginning. It didn't take long before hundreds of Ukrainian refugees arrived daily in Nynäshamn on the ferry from Poland."

What are you like as a person?

"Unpretentious and quite pleasant, I think others would agree."

You've worked in local journalism for many years. What does it have in common with Impact Loop?

"Local journalism targets people within a specific geographical area; a niche industry news site targets people within a clearly defined subject area. Another similarity is that people and individuals often stand at the centre of the story."

Any unusual interview situation you remember?

"An interview I conducted one morning after a very late and rather boozy night out many, many years ago. Oddly enough, the article turned out quite well, despite the fact that I had difficulty remembering the conversation afterwards. I consider this matter time-barred."

Trump, the USA, Ukraine, climate crisis – there's a lot happening in the impact space right now. What's important to keep in mind as an industry observer?

"Maintaining focus and creating relevant journalism for the target audience. It can certainly incorporate the wider world, but shouldn't drift too far away from the specific niche."

What are you doing tonight?

"Having dinner with the family and perhaps watching a TV series. After a few intense premiere days here at the editorial office, that seems like a reasonable goal."