Saab has announced the appointment of Lars-Olof Lindgren as head of Market Area India from December 1. Lars-Olof Lindgren is the former ambassador of Sweden to India; he held that position for five years before joining Saab. Lars-Olof Lindgren’s experience and relationships with the Indian and Swedish governments and industries will further reinforce Saab’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.

He succeeds Jan Widerström who has had an important role in building customer relations and developing the business to the status it has today with over 30 employees. Jan Widerström moves on to a new assignment within the Saab Group.

Saab President and CEO, Håkan Buskhe says, “India has been identified to be one of Saab’s most important markets and we look forward to welcoming Lars-Olof who, with his considerable experience of India, will enable us to contribute significantly to the country’s defence industry, forge new relationships with the Indian private sector and build strong, collaborative partnerships. We are delighted that he will be leading the India team at a crucial juncture where we are looking at significantly scaling up our business in India.”

According to Lars-Olof Lindgren, “Sweden and India’s defence collaboration has reached an important phase where companies such as Saab have an important role to play. Swedish technology can play a vital role when India continues to develop an indigenous defence industry for the future, supplying both India and the global market with advanced products. In order to accomplish this, we need to continue to forge relationships with Indian partners. I am proud to take on the role as head of Saab’s business in the country. During my years as ambassador, I have followed Saab’s efforts on this market with great interest. I look forward to be a part of this high technological global company which has been very clear with its increased ambitions in a number of different markets. It will be very interesting and stimulating to lead this work in India.”

Lars-Olof Lindgren was the Ambassador of Sweden to India between 2007 and 2012. Before taking office in the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi, Lars-Olof Lindgren was the State Secretary to the Prime Minister dealing with International Affairs and the European Union. Prior to this, he was the State Secretary for Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Lindgren has held various offices of importance in the Foreign Ministry between 1991 and 2004; starting as the Deputy Head of Mission and Minister at Swedish Embassy in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, then as Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Swedish Representation to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium and finally as the Director General for Trade. Prior to the Foreign Ministry, Lindgren was with the Ministry of Finance as the Economic and Financial Counsellor at the Swedish Delegation to the OECD in Paris, France. For four years, Lindgren was with the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, Stockholm, as an Economist, General Economic and Trade Policy Questions. For the next four years, he was the Political Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

A graduate from the Stockholm School of Economics, Lars-Olof Lindgren started his career with the Local Government, Köping, Sweden in the Department of Economic Planning. He is married and has four children.