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Our sub-groups | DANIR 2021
35
A determined nestor
in the staffing industry.
Jan Bengtsson, Poolia.
Last year, Danir became the principal owner of and CEO of Poolia. And after more than 20 years in
the listed company Poolia. It was a welcome a leading position within the group, he can reflect on
addition for Danir, and according to Poolia’s CEO Jan his leadership and how it has changed over time.
Bengtsson, it created a completely new context for – Before, I probably was a bit too quick to tell others
them. A context that he likes and in which he sees how they should do things. Now, I guess I’m more of a
great opportunities. One characteristic of the Danir listener, says Jan. But what is it like to be in the same
companies is that they genuinely like what they do industry and the same group for so long?
and get things done. – You become calmer over the years. You learn to
– It’s an open, pleasant climate. It’s easy to talk with recognise the cycles, which means that you don’t
each other, and everyone has been very accommo- get stressed, you don’t rush things. Instead, you can
dating, says Jan. make more thoughtful and long-term decisions, Jan
answers. However, this has proven to be a bit of a
But who is Jan Bengtsson? He describes himself challenge during the pandemic.
as an “average Joe”, a people person who likes it best – It wasn’t exactly familiar territory, and I hope it
when things happen. Jan makes sure to stay active doesn’t become par for the course, says Jan about the
and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and years of closure and restrictions. But even this ordeal
children and is always happy to take a boat trip out has had a silver lining, says Jan.
into the archipelago near his summer home on Blidö. – It’s contributed to a faster digital transition, and
now we’re seeing new behaviours emerge that save
After receiving his master’s degree in Economics both time and money, as well as the environment,
from Stockholm University in the early 1990s, Jan says Jan.
joined the Poolia Group in 1997. By now he knows
the company and the industry inside and out. During Poolia is now making a long-term investment in the
his studies, Jan became interested in sales, leadership Life Science industry and in the “Executive Search”
and recruitment, and when it dawned on him that and “Interim Management" executive recruitment
this growing interest could be combined, a job at services. In many ways, Jan sees this as the key to
Poolia became the obvious goal for the young Poolia’s future success.
economics student. – We’re investing here, but we also want to invest in
and build our brand. We definitely have name recog-
Jan started his career at Poolia as a consultant nition, but we have more values to convey, says Jan
manager but has also worked as an establishment about the future. A future where Poolia is both bigger
manager and KAM manager. In 2002, Jan became and better, and where Jan sees himself continuing
CEO of Uniflex, which increased tenfold in size during to remain within the group. The group that is clearly
the 16 years he was responsible for the company. near and dear to his heart, and which he knows so
– I’m not really very competitive, but I’m extremely much about.
determined, says Jan when asked about his approach
to running a business.
Since November 2018, Jan has been President
