CEO Trainee – Why Anna is becoming the next one

What are you doing at the moment?
I’m writing my thesis on wireless control, which is the final part of my master's in Mechatronics and Automation at Lund University in southern Sweden.

How did you find out about the CEO Trainee Initiative?
I found out through my university, but then I’ve known about Knightec for some time. They had consultants at Alfa Laval, where I spent a lot of summers working and Axis Communications where I did a three-month project. All the Knightec consultants I’ve met have been very knowledgeable and helpful, so when I saw that Knightec was looking for a CEO Trainee, I was immediately interested.

So, you applied?
Well, first I called Thomas Reims, the current CEO Trainee, to ask about the role, and he described it as an excellent opportunity to develop. I wasn’t sure my background was the ideal fit, but he urged me to apply. Also, when researching the company, it was obvious that we had shared values. One of my goals is to use my skills and capabilities to make a real difference – something that Knightec does both for its customers and for our society.

How was the recruitment process?
It was challenging, especially the case interview as it was a live business case. I’m an engineer first and foremost but I guess it came down to my approach to solving the problem rather than my knowledge of business processes per se. With that said, I have enrolled on a summer course in economics, which should help me a lot once I get started. It was also really refreshing to meet Dimitris Gioulekas, Knightec CEO. He was very transparent about what the role entails, and what’s expected of a CEO Trainee. It made me feel confident that I could deliver in the role.

What makes you the ideal person for the CEO Trainee role?
I’m excited to get started. I want to learn and meet new people, but also bring a new perspective to the role. The tech angle I guess you could say. Practically, I’m good at prioritizing, by that I mean focusing on the important things that add value rather than getting stuck on too many details. Thomas, the current CEO Trainee, has also given me a lot of advice and prepped me on what to expect and how I can best prepare so I hit the ground running.

How do you think this role will help you in the future?
I’m broadening my horizons. Learning how a successful company is run from the top. I’ll be involved in the strategic and operative decisions being taken and work closely with leading industry experts. If I can combine everything I learn in this role with my education, there will be so many more opportunities open to me. I firmly believe that exposing yourself to new things opens doors that you didn’t even know existed. So, who knows what the future will hold.

Finally, what will you be doing when you’re not working at Knightec?
I like to run, be out in the countryside and hang out with my friends. So much of the free time I get will be spent outdoors.