Experienced management

Axel Karlsson

Axel will assume the role as CEO of Niam Group on 1 December 2025. He joins Niam from McKinsey & Company, where he spent 26 years in senior leadership roles. Most recently, he was Senior Partner, Global Executive Committee member, and Global Leader of Functional Practices. He also co-chaired McKinsey’s Senior Partner Election Committee, co-led the Global Operations Practice, and headed the Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice in Asia while based in Hong Kong.

Axel holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the Stockholm School of Economics.

Max Ilmoni

Max is Deputy CEO and Head of Capital Formation & Investor Relations at Niam Group. He joined Niam in October 2025 from Partners Group, where he spent more than 17 years, having served as head of Client Solutions Nordics, Global Head of Business Development for Private Real Estate as well as Global Head of Business Development for the newly launched Private Markets Royalites strategy. In his previous roles he oversaw capital formation for real estate, and private markets royalties' funds, co-investments, and bespoke client solutions supported by a global team across the US, Europe, and Asia.

Max holds a Master of Science (MSc) from Hanken School of Economics.

Mathias Pedersen

Mathias is COO of Niam Group and Managing Director of Niam AB, responsible for Niam as a licensed Alternative Investment Fund Manager as well as other common functions shared across the Niam Group. He joined Niam in 2020. 

Prior to Niam, Mathias was CFO and later CEO of publicly listed Qliro Group. He has also served as Investment Director at Kinnevik AB and held CFO roles at East Capital Group, East Capital Explorer, and ETAC, following nine years in the investment organization of Investor AB and the Wallenberg foundations. 

Mathias holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the Stockholm School of Economics and has completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

Hanna Bedinger

Hanna joined Niam in 2021 as Head of Human Resources, where she is responsible for the Group’s overall HR strategy and operations.

Before joining Niam, Hanna held several HR roles within the Newsec and Stronghold Groups. She also served as Head of HR at Datscha/MSCI, overseeing HR activities for offices across the Nordics and the UK. Earlier in her career, Hanna worked in a variety of HR functions, including recruitment, leadership development, labour law, and employer branding.

Hanna holds a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Human Resource Management and Psychology from Stockholm University.

Rikard Henriksson

Rikard is Head of Real Estate at Niam Group. He has worked at Niam since 2010 and leads the real estate business, including acquisitions, fund- and asset management, financing across the Nordics.  

Prior to joining Niam, Rikard spent 16 years with the Real Estate and Development divisions of the Skanska Corporation and served most recently as Country Manager for Skanska's Commercial Development operations in Czech Republic. Prior to this he also held various project management positions within the Skanska Group in Sweden. 

Rikard holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden and has completed the Executive Program at IMD Business School, Switzerland.

Sverker Åkerblom

Sverker is the Founding Partner and Head of Infrastructure at Niam Group. He brings close to 20 years of experience in energy and infrastructure investments. He leads the infrastructure strategy and investment activities, focusing on creating long-term value for investors.

Before establishing Niam Infrastructure in 2021, Sverker was one of the founding members of BlackRock Renewable Power, where he served as Head of Investments for Continental Europe. 

Sverker holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the Stockholm School of Economics.

Pontus Sundin

Pontus Sundin is Head of Credit at Niam Group, bringing over 20 years of international experience in Real Estate and Debt Capital Markets. He has a proven track record in building debt platforms, shaping strategic direction, and leading business operations to deliver long-term value for shareholders and investors.

Before joining Niam, Pontus held several senior management positions, including Chief Representative for Helaba in the Nordics, Head of Commercial Real Estate Investment Banking at Nordea, and Transaction Leader at GE Capital.

His career reflects deep expertise in credit analysis, structured finance, and cross-border transactions.

Pontus holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Real Estate Finance from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Administration from Stockholm University School of Business.