Niclas Kjellström-Matseke

Founding Partner, Head of Europe & Africa

17 Asset Management

Cape Town, ZA

Biography

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke is a Founding Partner and Head of Europe & Africa for 17 Asset Management, a privately-owned, global asset management firm specializing in asset management, research, and advisory services. 17 Asset Management is also committed to providing financial returns that support and uphold the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Niclas is also CEO of Infigo Properties, a commercial and residential development company in the Cape Town area, and Founder & Chairman of Perennis Africa, a company that invests in Southern African growth companies. Previously, 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.

In addition to being recognized as a leader in international business and the investments industry, Niclas is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting causes including human rights, education, and sustainability. He serves on the Board of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, who also presented with the 2013 Ripple of Hope Award. He is also Chairperson of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and is a Member of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Developments Solutions Network. His many Board appointments also include: 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; Board Member at SPER and Novamedia Norsk PoskodeLotteri.

Niclas earned a BA in Economics & Social Science from Uppsala University and an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics and Babson College in the US.

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke’s Newsfeed

Financial Times

"Climate Change is the Apartheid of Our Times"

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke, Founding Partner of 17 Asset Management, co-wrote an article titled “Climate Change is the Apartheid of our Times” with Desmond Tutu, published in the Financial Times.

Royal Baby Archie Meets Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

"Our mission is to distil the timeless wisdom of our founders, and to instil their values in new generations of leaders. We are enormously grateful to the Duke and Duchess for their love and respect for the Arch," said the Legacy Foundation's chairman Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke.

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Niclas Kjellström-Matseke’s Background

17 Asset Management

Founding Partner, Head of Europe & Africa

Nov 2018 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

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

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, developing the new city centre.

Perennis Africa Proprietary

Chairman of the Ethics Committee & Founder

2006 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

Perennis Africa, invests in Southern African growth companies and is a platform for Niclas to devote time and funds to African and international ventures.

Novamedia Sverige AB

CEO

2005 - 2016

Stockholm, SE

Novamedia Sverige AB run The Swedish Postcode Lottery which operates on the Swedish regulated gambling market and is run on a commercial basis by Novamedia, which 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 have 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, it was part of Kinnevik AB, a Swedish investment company that was founded in 1936 by the Stenbeck, Klingspor & von Horn families and invests primarily in digital consumer brands.

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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Current Non-Executive Positions

The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa

Member of the 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. They build upon Africa’s existing successes by bringing together people, ideas & innovation to collectively reach a more sustainable future.

Spear REIT Limited

Board Member

2016 - Present

Cape Town, ZA

Spear REIT Limited is listed as a Real Estate Investment Trust on the AltX of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and its main business is investing in high-quality income-generating real estate, across all sectors within the Western Cape, predominantly in the Cape Town region.

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Previous Non-Executive Positions

Kustjägarna - Swedish Marines

Board Member

2008 - 2011

Stockholm, SE

Kustjägarna is an amphibious special operations unit within the Swedish Amphibious Corps, which is the coastal defence arm of the Swedish Navy. A reconnaissance unit, the main tasks of the Coastal Rangers are to gather intelligence, conduct raids, and commit sabotage.

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 Member

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 Member

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 celebrate 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, Founding Partner of 17 Asset Management, co-wrote an article with with Desmond Tutu titled “Climate Change is the Apartheid of our Times” published in the Financial Times.

Awards

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

The 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.

Niclas Kjellström-Matseke’s Education

Stockholm School of Economics

Executive MBA

2003 - 2005

University of Uppsala, Sweden

BA Economics & Social Science

1992 - 1995