At last week’s general assembly, there was a change in the board of Business Lolland-Falster. Martin Skibsted from Skibsted Ejendomme did not seek re-election. CEO Jakob Søndergaard Nielsen from Metalcolour was appointed to fill the vacant seat. Jakob Søndergaard Nielsen is already well-acquainted with business policy board work, as he is the chairman of Danish Industry Lolland-Falster. This is one of the reasons he accepted the position:
– There are some clear synergies. Business Lolland-Falster and Danish Industry Lolland-Falster have had a close collaboration for years, and it will only get stronger. With the activities coming up in the next few years here, Business Lolland-Falster has a big task ahead. And I want to contribute to that.
What does Metalcolour gain from your position on the Business Lolland-Falster board?
– For a company, it might not bring direct benefits, but it gives me as a CEO some knowledge. It could be about what the municipalities are planning regarding businesses and subdivisions for the green transition, and so on. I can relay that information to my decision-makers at Metalcolour. Whether it is Danish Industry or Business Lolland-Falster, I take the network and the information I gain from participating and bring it into the company. ‘They are doing something over there – maybe we should look in that direction,’ Jakob Søndergaard Nielsen explains.
What do you plan to use your board position for?
– I want to influence matters related to the existing business community. The CVR numbers that are already registered on Lolland and Falster. There has been a lot of focus on new investments, and there should be. But there are many companies around that need the knowledge and training, and so on, that Business Lolland-Falster offers.
Did I just hear you say that there could be more focus on those already here?
– I think at least we need to maintain our focus. And it should be on education and the workforce. We have an area that we can uplift, and we can do it together. That is also part of the reason why I agreed to join the board. The closer the collaboration between Business Lolland-Falster and Danish Industry, the easier it will be to uplift our region. That is what motivates me. If other companies succeed, it attracts the workforce we need. And maybe I can use something here once in a while. Then we borrow a little from each other, says Jakob Søndergaard Nielsen.
It was also mentioned at the general assembly that Business Lolland-Falster should focus more on Germany. What is your opinion on that?
– We need to be careful about making decisions at Business Lolland-Falster regarding an export market. Export advice is already handled by, for example, Business House Zealand. We should not duplicate work just because it is interesting. Of course, we should do it if necessary. But ensure that tasks are delegated to where they fit best. We should not take on everything ourselves when others can do it for us, concludes the newly appointed board member for Business Lolland-Falster.
