While Investor is celebrated for record stock market values, a long-term power shift is taking place behind the scenes. The sixth generation of Wallenbergs has already begun to take their place on boards and in decision-making bodies - after years of internal training and strategic education.
Behind the growing economic influence of the Wallenberg family is an effort that few Swedish families can match: systematically passing on control of parts of Swedish business to the next generation.
In an interview with Svenska Dagbladet tells us Jacob Wallenberg some 30 family members have been trained over several years in the family's history, values and corporate structure.
– They have just come out into the open in the last year. I'm not going to make an evaluation, but it looks promising, says Jacob Wallenberg.
The so-called ”sixth generation” has already started to take seats on boards, foundations and investment companies linked to the Wallenberg sphere.
A system built to keep control
The family's power emanates from Investor and the 16 Wallenberg foundations, which together control around half of the votes in the investment company. Through this structure, the family has decisive influence over companies such as Ericsson, SEB, Saab, AstraZeneca and ABB.
At the same time, generational change takes place within a closed system where the family itself chooses the heirs to be passed on.
Jacob Wallenberg describes how today's structure differs from the more complex model of previous generations.
– We are coming from a very fragmented and difficult to penetrate system. Today, there are structures for how companies are under the foundations. There were not before, he says.
”To act without being seen”
The family motto ”Esse, non videri” - ”To act without being seen” - still permeates how power is built and passed on. Publicity is limited, while networks, foundations and internal training are used to ensure continuity across generations.
At the same time, the sphere's position is being strengthened through major investments in AI, research and strategic projects for the future. The Wallenberg Foundations distribute billions of kronor annually to research and universities, while industrial companies are becoming increasingly involved in joint technology and innovation initiatives.
Criticism is growing
At the same time, the development raises questions about concentration of power and transparency. While politicians often talk about decentralization and competition, a single family continues to build long-term control over key parts of Swedish industry, research and finance.
The fact that the generational change is now taking place openly also shows that the Wallenberg family is not planning to reduce its influence, but to secure it for many decades to come.
It is Wallenberg who really controls Sweden our politicians are just pawns who do what they are told by this family just look at the NATO accession.