Björn Rosengren is a successful businessman with more than 30 years’ experience in the industrial sector, who is currently the CEO of ABB. He is now being awarded the Gustaf Dalén Medal for his ability to develop organisations and collaborative cultures with positive results.
Björn Rosengren, born in Gothenburg, Sweden, holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology. It was not a foregone conclusion that Björn would become a business leader from an early age, but the idea of studying engineering and finance was there from the start.
‘Chalmers gave me many opportunities to do placements in companies and also listen to inspiring business leaders: something that made me apply to large industrial companies, and which I've never regretted,’ he says about his time at Chalmers.
After graduation, Björn started his career at Atlas Copco, where he worked in several different management positions both in Sweden and abroad. He has also held key positions at Sandvik and Wärtsilä.
Björn’s motivation has always been to do an excellent job and deliver results, and this has been apparent since he took over as CEO of ABB in 2020. According to Björn himself, one of his main incentives is to decentralise an organisation in order to enable it to benefit.
‘The decentralised organisational structure that I have been advocating for 20 years creates an environment where employees can take responsibility, have the ability to make an impact and deliver results. This is crucial for motivation and entrepreneurship, even if the company is large and has many employees,’ says Björn Rosengren.
Diversity and inclusion
Under Björn’s leadership, ABB has increased its focus on digitalisation and sustainability, launching several new products and solutions in these areas. Björn has also been a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion, and has worked to increase the number of women in senior positions. Part of this has been to support initiatives to increase early interest among young women in choosing a career in engineering.
Björn Rosengren is also known for his vision and belief that technology can be used to create a better and more sustainable world. One way he has channelled this is through his involvement with – and positions in – major international organisations such as the European Roundtable of Industries, the World Economic Forum and the World Childhood Foundation.
This year’s award of the Gustaf Dalén Medal was the 57th of its kind, and previous recipients include prominent Chalmerists who have made contributions of great merit to business and society at large. The jury’s statement cites Björn Rosengren’s passion for technology, innovation and sustainability as the grounds for their decision.
Björn adds: ‘It's amazing – and a great honour – for me to be singled out by Chalmers, which has played such an important part in my development and education.’
About the Gustaf Dalén Medal
The Chalmers Alumni Association has awarded the Gustaf Dalén Medal to honor the Nobel Laureate and Chalmers Engineer of the same name since 1950. The medal will go to an alumnus for "deserving activities based on Chalmers competence areas" .
About Chalmers Alumni Association
Chalmers Alumni Association (Chalmersska Ingenjörsföreningen, CING) is an association for everyone who has a degree from Chalmers University of Technology. The association is the largest of its kind and since 1907 has been a cohesive link for Chalmerists all over the world.