Valberedningen

Valberedningen, or the nomination committee, is a governance body found in many Swedish organizations, including associations, foundations and listed companies. Its primary role is to prepare and present candidate proposals for the board of directors and, where applicable, for other lead positions to the organization’s general meeting. The committee helps ensure that the board has the necessary expertise, experience and independence to govern effectively and in line with the organization’s strategy and values.

Composition and appointment: Valberedningen is typically appointed by the general meeting or by the board and usually comprises three to five members. Members are often chosen to reflect the interests of principal shareholders or member groups, and the committee is often chaired by a person separate from the current board to safeguard objectivity. Some organizations appoint the committee from among the members, while others designate external individuals to strengthen independence.

Responsibilities: The valberedningen assesses the board's composition needs, reviews potential candidates, conducts interviews, checks qualifications and conflicts of interest, and prepares a proposed slate of candidates for the board and the chair. It may also propose remuneration guidelines for board members and, in some cases, nominate auditors or other key roles. The aim is to promote competence, diversity and continuity.

Process and timeline: The committee works in the period leading up to the annual general meeting, publishes its recommendations to the members, and hands over a formal nomination to the meeting. Practices vary between organizations, and the committee's mandate is defined in the organization's articles of association or governance policies.

Scope and variation: While common in listed companies in Sweden, valberedningen is also used by non-profit associations and foundations. Not all organizations have a valberedning; where absent, the general meeting or the board itself may handle nominations.