Meeting Karin Sjölin and the story of SveaBritt

On a very rainy Monday evening in York, Caroline Key (YASS committee member) and I made our way through the puddles to meet Karin Sjölin Frudd, former Chair of SveaBritt. Karin and her husband Nigel live in London but also keep an apartment in York — Nigel is originally from Leeds, while Karin comes from Gävle, north of Stockholm.

The rain that night was relentless — we arrived a bit soggy — but once we sat down, the conversation quickly made us forget the weather. Karin spoke openly about her early days in London, her time as Chair, and the role SveaBritt has played for so many Swedish women. Our chat moved easily between personal memories and the bigger picture, and it was clear why SveaBritt still matters today.

Karin’s story

Karin first joined SveaBritt in 2010. At the time she was working in London with the United Nations specialised organisation, the International Maritime Organization, but she was looking for something more personal: a place where Swedish-speaking business women could meet, exchange ideas and support each other. 

The meetings and events were often held in the Swedish Church and in members’ business premises and offices. The meetings offered a great opportunity to network and make new contacts — both professionally and for friendships.

During the pandemic, much of this moved online. Seeing familiar faces on a screen helped, but as Karin pointed out, just being able to meet in person again has meant a lot. Those post-Covid summer socials and National Day celebrations have felt even more important. The highlight is the annual Spring Dinner which is held around the 8th March to coincide with the International Women's Day.

SveaBritt today

Founded in 1981, SveaBritt — short for Swedish Professional Women in the UK — is a non-profit organisation for Swedish-speaking women. It now runs around eight to ten events a year — everything from workshops and talks to cultural evenings and after-work gatherings.

SveaBritt is one of several Scandinavian organisations active in London, alongside groups such as the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Church in London, and SWEA London. It also belongs to CoScan, the Confederation of Scandinavian Societies of Great Britain and Ireland.

What makes SveaBritt stand out is the mix of professional insight and personal creativity its members bring. Some have particularly interesting businesses, from vineyards producing English sparkling wine to high-end Swedish design kitchens. Cecilia Rydström Haszlakiewicz, founder of SveaBritt, runs Goodworth Clatford Vineyard in Andover, Hampshire, while Susanna Busi Jacobsohn is co-owner and founder of Busi Jacobsohn Wine Estate in Tunbridge Wells.

And in the world of design, Sofia Bune Strandh, founder of Sola Kitchens, recently hosted an after-work show in her showroom — a chance to mingle among beautiful Scandinavian interiors while also supporting a fellow member’s business.

That spirit of creativity runs through the group.

The current Chair, Ann-Katrin “Ankan” Berggren, brings with her years of experience as a journalist, stylist and designer. Having worked with IKEA, Elle Decoration, and other well-known names, she adds flair and perspective to the network. Karin emphasised that it is precisely this blend — of business, design, and community — that makes SveaBritt such a vibrant organisation.

Karin also told us about several other members and their expertise. One was Katarina Lantz-Dretnik, a teacher at the Swedish School in Barnes who has, since 2000, also had a rather unusual morning job: riding Queen Elizabeth's horses in Hyde Park. As we all know, the Queen loved her horses — and it sounds a bit magical when you picture those early mornings before the city wakes up.

CoScan’s 75th in York

Karin, who previously held the role as Chair,  Barbro McAusland  founder and current treasure and Ann-Katrin “Ankan” Berggren, the current Chair of SveaBritt, will be in York this October for CoScan’s 75th anniversary celebrations. The day includes a celebratory lunch at York Guildhall and a walking tour of the City — a fitting way to mark 75 years of Scandinavian societies working together across the UK and Ireland.

Working together

Looking ahead, YASS will continue to work with SveaBritt to create more opportunities for their members and women from YASS to meet. Whether it’s a panel, a social, or something a little more informal, the idea is to build bridges between our groups and make the most of what we can share with one another.

Final thoughts

Our rainy evening in York turned out to be anything but gloomy. Karin’s memories — alongside the stories of Cecilia, Susanna, Sofia, Katarina, Ankan and many others — showed exactly what SveaBritt does best: mixing professional support with friendship, and making a big city feel a little smaller.

With CoScan’s 75th anniversary on the horizon and stronger ties forming between YASS and SveaBritt, the future looks bright. For anyone new to London, or simply looking for a Swedish community, SveaBritt offers more than a network — it offers a place to belong.