Kiruna, Sweden - Jan Fjordell, the former CEO of municipal utility company Tekniska verken, is facing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest in his current consulting role with the same organization. According to reports, Fjordell now works as a department head at Tekniska verken through his private consulting firm, Projektgruppen Malmfälten AB (PGM), while simultaneously serving as chairman of PGM, which handles invoices from consultants to the mining company LKAB.
The state-owned mining company LKAB has reportedly raised concerns about the arrangement, describing it as Fjordell 'sitting in two chairs' and requesting an investigation into potential conflicts of interest within Kiruna municipality's operations. Fjordell, who served as CEO of Tekniska verken until August 2024, was hired as a consultant for the municipal company three months after leaving his executive position.
sitting in two chairs
According to SVT Norrbotten, Tekniska verken has paid an average of 218,000 SEK per month to Fjordell's company for his work as department head and process leader over the past six months. Meanwhile, as chairman of PGM, he reportedly handles invoices from approximately 20 consultants with their own companies who perform work for Tekniska verken, with these invoices then forwarded to LKAB.
While legal experts have noted that the arrangement may not constitute a legal violation, LKAB's press spokesperson Mikko Viitala stated that the company views the situation as problematic from an appropriateness standpoint. The investigation into potential conflicts of interest and corruption prevention measures within Kiruna municipality is ongoing.
the company views the situation as problematic from an appropriateness standpoint