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Niclas Kjellström-Matseke

Chairman S&E.C., Investor & Independent Director

Spear REIT Limited

Cape Town, ZA

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke

Jakob Kjellberg

RedBird Capital Partners

Niclas’ Biography

Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke is a leading international investor and board member for a range of companies and philanthropic organizations, with a focus on human rights, sustainability, real estate and finance. Niclas is currently an Independent Director for Spear REIT Ltd., a real estate investment firm operating across all sectors within the Western Cape, predominantly the Cape Town region. He is also CEO of Infigo Properties, a commercial and residential development company in the Cape Town area.

Niclas serves on the Board of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, who also presented him with a 2013 Ripple of Hope Award. He is the Chairperson of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and a Member of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Developments Solutions Network. Past board appointments have included: Advisory Board Member of The Elders Foundation, a foundation set up by Nelson Mandela; Honorary Advisory Board Member of Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s World Freedom Fund at Partnership for Change; and Board Member at the The Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER).

Earlier... Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke is a leading international investor and board member for a range of companies and philanthropic organizations, with a focus on human rights, sustainability, real estate and finance. Niclas is currently an Independent Director for Spear REIT Ltd., a real estate investment firm operating across all sectors within the Western Cape, predominantly the Cape Town region. He is also CEO of Infigo Properties, a commercial and residential development company in the Cape Town area.

Niclas serves on the Board of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, who also presented him with a 2013 Ripple of Hope Award. He is the Chairperson of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and a Member of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Developments Solutions Network. Past board appointments have included: Advisory Board Member of The Elders Foundation, a foundation set up by Nelson Mandela; Honorary Advisory Board Member of Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s World Freedom Fund at Partnership for Change; and Board Member at the The Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER).

Earlier in his career, Niclas was Chairman of Todenburg Ltd. (fmr. Perennis Africa Proprietary), a platform that allowed him to commit time and capital to international ventures. He was a Founding Partner and Head of Europe & Africa for 17 Asset Management, a firm that provides investment opportunities structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prior, he was CEO for Novamedia Nordics, the Swedish company that operates The Postcode Lottery and is the world’s third largest private donor, providing long-term support for numerous charities. Under his leadership, Novamedia grew to become the industry’s most profitable company.

Niclas earned a BA in Economics & Social Science from Uppsala University and an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics and Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. more less

Niclas’ Newsfeed

Mail & Guardian

Always faith, always justice: A tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke shares his thoughts as a tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu as an exemplar of love and compassion for the people of South Africa and around the world.

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ABC News

'Wake up': Climate activist Nakate challenges world leaders

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke, the chairman of the Tutu Legacy Foundation, said in comments introducing the lecture that “our indecisiveness expedites inequality, it enables injustice, it facilitates the destruction of critical biodiversity and it empowers the richest nation on earth to walk out on a global climate agreement and to suspend funding to the World Health Organization during a global pandemic."

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Niclas’ Background

Spear REIT Limited

Chairman S&E.C., Investor & Independent Director

2016 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

Spear REIT Limited is a Real Estate Investment Trust on the AltX of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It invests in high-quality income-generating real estate across all sectors within the Western Cape, predominantly in the Cape Town region.

Infigo Properties

CEO

Dec 2017 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

Infigo Properties is focused on the property development industry in the Cape Town area and takes an active role as co-developer in pioneering commercial and residential projects.

Todenburg Ltd. (fmr. Perennis Africa Proprietary)

Chairman & Owner

Feb 2016 - Jun 2020

Cape Town, ZA

Todenburg Ltd. (formerly Perennis) provides Niclas a platform where he can invest his time and capital in international ventures.

17 Asset Management

Founding Partner, Head of Europe & Africa

Nov 2018 - Feb 2020

Cape Town, ZA

17 Asset Management is a new kind of asset management firm structured around the UN Sustainable Development Goals to provide investment opportunities for their clients' social and financial goals.

Novamedia Sverige AB

CEO

2005 - 2016

Stockholm, SE

Novamedia Sverige AB manages The Swedish Postcode Lottery which operates on the Swedish regulated gambling market. Novamedia holds the commercial risk and provides the capital required for operating the Lottery.

Spero Spel AB

CEO

2001 - 2005

Stockholm, SE

Spero Spel is a retail based gambling and lottery company with annual revenues of 70 MSEK.

iWorld GMBH (2i International)

2000 - 2001

Stockholm, SE

iWorld GMBH was part of 2i International, a German wireless internet based service which identifies and solves business challenges for companies and shareholders.

Alumni AB

Consultant

1998 - 2000

Stockholm, SE

Alumni is a recruitment company that has developed tools and services in order to strengthen the organisations and teams of their clients for over 25 years and are a full-range provider of leadership services in the Nordic region.

Intact Strategy (a Kinnevik Group company)

Manager

1997 - 1998

Stockholm, SE

Intact Strategy is an internet strategy consultant with a focus on IT as a part of Kinnevik AB, a Swedish investment company founded in 1936.

Accenture

Management & IT Consultant

1995 - 1997

Stockholm, SE

Accenture is a leading global professional services company which provides a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology & operations.

Kustjägarna - Swedish Marines

Coastal Ranger

1990 - 1991

Stockholm, SE

Niclas served on active duty from 1990-91 as a Coastal Ranger, an amphibious ”Special Operations Unit” of the Swedish Marines. After this service, he became a graduated operative.

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Niclas’ Gallery

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke accepting the ripple of hope award

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Desmond Tutu

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Nelson Mandela

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke accepting the ripple of hope award

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Bill Clinton

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke speaking at a conference

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke at the RFK awards

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke accepting the ripple of hope award

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Desmond Tutu

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Nelson Mandela

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke accepting the ripple of hope award

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke and Bill Clinton

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke speaking at a conference

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke at the RFK awards

Current Board Positions

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Leadership Council

2013 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Niclas was appointed by The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) mobilizes global scientific & technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & the Paris Climate Agreement.

Previous Board Positions

The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa

Board of Directors

Kigali, RW

The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (SDGC/A) is an international organization that supports governments, businesses, civil society & academic institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.

Kustjägarna - Swedish Marines

Board Member

2008 - 2011

Stockholm, SE

Kustjägarna is an amphibious special operations unit within the Swedish Amphibious Corps, the coastal defence arm of the Swedish Navy.

Young Presidents' Organization

Chairman of the Board (Sweden)

2012 - 2013

Stockholm, SE

YPO members harness the knowledge, influence & trust of the world’s most influential & innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family & community impact.

The Elders Foundation

Advisory Board

2013 - 2016

London, UK

Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders are independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

SPER

Board Member

Stockholm, SE

SPER is the ethical council for all Swedish regulated gaming companies. SPER 's focus is on addressing the issues of responsible gaming and ethical marketing for the gaming industry.

Novamedia Norsk PostkodeLotteri AS

Board Member

Stockholm, SE

Norsk Postkode Lotterie is a lottery run by Novamedia which aims to support local charities in Norway, by donating profits from the lottery to good causes.

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Philanthropy

RFK / Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Board of Directors

2014 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, founded in 1968, is led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy and advocates for a more just and peaceful world. Working alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations, the RFK team includes leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers united by a commitment to social justice.

Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

Chairperson

2019 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation celebrates their lifelong sacrifice for peace and justice by helping people to reconnect to each other, honor the sacredness of all human beings, restore human dignity and protect the inspiring legacy of Desmond and Leah Tutu.

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Publications

"Climate change is the apartheid of our times"

Contributing Writer

Oct 2019

Cape Town, ZA

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke co-wrote an article with with Desmond Tutu titled “Climate Change is the Apartheid of our Times” published in the Financial Times.

Awards & Recognition

RFK / Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Ripple of Hope Award

2013

New York, NY, USA

In 2013, Niclas received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights "Ripple of Hope" Award for his leadership in bringing together the business, political, and civic communities.

Speaking Engagements

10th Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture

Featured Speaker

Oct 2020

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke took part in the 10th Annual Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture, which focused on the theme of 'Climate Justice Globally, Now and for the Future.'

Stiftelsen AllBright

Featured Speaker

2017

Stockholm, SE

AllBright is a non-profit foundation that works for gender equality and meritocracy in business. AllBright's vision is to "work for meritocratic management teams and boards and thus create a more profitable and sustainable business life."

Niclas’ Education

Stockholm School of Economics

Executive MBA

2003 - 2005

University of Uppsala, Sweden

BA | Economics & Social Science

1992 - 1995