Future Leader Program Launches Fourth Cohort – and Initiates Collaboration with New Zealand University

For the fourth consecutive year, young talents from across Sweden gather to develop within future leadership. The Future Leader Program 2025 targets driven young people between 17 and 23 years old and combines education, mentorship, and real-world cases within strategy, technology, business development, and social responsibility.

GOTHENBURG, October 8, 2025 – Today marks the launch of this year’s edition of the Future Leader Program in Gothenburg, a unique initiative supported by PION Group, A Society, and Nexer Group that aims to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. The program, founded by Martin Hansson in 2022, brings together 30 young participants between 17-23 years old for an intensive one-year educational journey.

An Investment in Sweden’s Future
Martin Hansson, CEO of PION Group and founder of the Future Leader Program, emphasizes the importance of investing in young talents:

“When we launched the Future Leader Program in 2022, we had a clear vision of creating a value-generating platform that elevates young talents and transforms their curiosity, innovative power, and knowledge into concrete societal change and business value. Those who complete our program will become entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, CEOs, and board chairs who shape society forward. Above all, they will become strong leaders. We are convinced that access to good leadership is a decisive factor for Sweden’s future.”

International Expertise On-Site
Today’s kickoff program in Gothenburg features an impressive speaker panel with both national and international experts. Among today’s high-profile speakers are:

• Christian Schöld, Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander at the Swedish Armed Forces, who will share his experiences in strategic leadership and crisis management.
• Peter Hjörne, former CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and owner of Göteborgs-Posten, representing one of Western Sweden’s most influential media families and contributing deep knowledge about corporate leadership and transformation of traditional industries.
• Shoka Åhrman, Savings Economist and Strategist at SPP, who is one of Sweden’s most respected voices in economics and will focus on entrepreneurship in the modern economy.
• Johan Trouvé, CEO of the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce, who has led Sweden’s largest chamber of commerce for 17 years and is an expert in business development and regional growth.

A particularly exciting element will be Ambassador David Taylor from New Zealand, who will share international perspectives on leadership and innovation. Taylor, who has served as ambassador in large parts of the world and Sweden, brings valuable global expertise to the program.

“A new collaboration between Sweden and New Zealand through the Future Leader Program demonstrates what happens when we give young talents real opportunities. One participant will be selected to spend time at the University of Otago in New Zealand to continue learning about leadership and to build bridges between our countries. Together, we can create the conditions that tomorrow’s leaders need – new perspectives, strong networks, and continued understanding of how important international cooperation is”, comments David Taylor.

A Year of Intensive Development
The Future Leader Program consists of four full-day sessions over one year, focusing on entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, brand and communication, and sales and network building. Each participant receives a personal mentor – an experienced individual who guides them throughout the entire program.

The Future Leader Program is open for applications annually between May and August.

For more information, visit nexergroup.com/csr/future-leader-program/ or contact Rebecca Lindskoog, Program Manager; rebecca.lindskoog@nexergroup.com
Press contact: elcim.yilmaz@nexergroup.com or +46 733 41 41 80

About Future Leader Program
The Future Leader Program is an initiative supported by PION Group, A Society, and Nexer Group that aims to strengthen Sweden’s future by investing in the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. The program was launched in 2022 and has already developed several cohorts of ambitious young talents.

https://nexergroup.com/csr/future-leader-program/