Liselott Ledin, one of the first heads to roll as Alecta’s investment losses crisis broke out earlier this year, has now been hired by Swedish asset manager Swedbank Robur as a portfolio manager – amid a flood of support from people in the country’s financial sector.
Ledin was sacked in early April as head of equity portfolio management by Magnus Billing – then chief executive officer of the SEK1.2trn (€105bn) occupational pensions giant – as part of a series of rapid steps taken as he grappled with a mounting bank-losses scandal.
Her dismissal was widely seen as an unjust scapegoating.
More senior Alecta leaders have since been forced out, notably Billing himself and the firm’s chair Ingrid Bonde.
Ledin, who had worked at Alecta for her entire 28-year career before being fired, said in post on LinkedIn yesterday: “I am very happy to share that I am joining Swedbank Robur as a portfolio manager starting January 8th.”
IPE asked Swedbank Robur to comment on the fact that in hiring her, it appeared not to have been deterred by the fact she had been sacked by her previous employer.
“That is correct,” said Ulrika Enhörning, head of equity at Swedbank Robur.
“We are very pleased that Liselott Ledin will join Swedbank Robur as portfolio manager in January. Her strong expertise will be a positive complement to our organisation,” she said.
Ledin’s post on LinkedIn has so far attracted around 60 public congratulatory messages, including from top current and former Alecta employees. Well-wishers include former equities chief Bo Selling, former chief investment officer Hans Sterte, as well as Carina Silberg and Axel Brändström – who are currently head of governance and ESG, and head of real assets at Alecta, respectively.
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