LKAB has raised concerns over consultant Jan Fjordell's dual roles, leading to a request for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest in his work with Tekniska verken.
In Sweden, LKAB has expressed serious concerns regarding Jan Fjordell's consulting roles, which may present conflicts of interest. Fjordell, who was the CEO of Tekniska verken until August 2024, began working as a consultant for the municipal company shortly after his departure and was recently appointed as a temporary departmental head for an additional 18 months. Over the last six months, Tekniska verken has reportedly been paying Fjordell’s company an average of 218,000 SEK per month for these consultancy services. This financial engagement raises questions about compliance and transparency in local governance.
Additionally, Fjordell serves as the chair of Projektgruppen i Malmfälten (PGM), a consortium of about twenty private consultants, which further complicates his role. The consultants in PGM complete assignments for Tekniska verken, with invoices processed by Fjordell himself before being forwarded to LKAB. Such an arrangement has led to apprehensions about the potential for corruption and nepotism. LKAB's press chief, Mikko Viitala, publicly stated that this situation appears questionable, signaling a broader concern regarding ethical practices within municipal operations.
Legal expert Olle Lundin has been consulted on the matter, shedding light on the legal aspects of such affiliations. His insights suggest that similar situations could undermine public trust in local governing bodies by creating a perception of impropriety in financial dealings. As LKAB demands accountability, the implications of this review could have lasting effects on how consulting engagements are managed within the public sphere, particularly in avoiding conflicts of interest, corruption, and strengthening ethical governance.
