Mercuri Urval Expands International Public and ESG Expert Practice
September 22, 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden-based executive search firm Mercuri Urval (MU) has expanded with the addition of former Danish government minister Astrid Krag to its international public and ESG expert practice. “With Astrid’s extensive experience in international public affairs, strong commitment to ESG and sustainability, and deep understanding of life sciences, she brings a valuable combination of expertise and perspective to MU,” said Peter Torjussen, partner & executive coach (ICF), MU. “Just as importantly, we are gaining a thoughtful and engaging new colleague who will help strengthen our offering across these key areas and support collaboration between practices. Based in the MU private team in Copenhagen, she will play an important role in developing opportunities at the intersection of international public, ESG and life sciences.”
“Astrid’s background in public leadership, political processes and international collaboration will bring valuable perspective to our international public and ESG expert practice,” said Christian Nyhlén, global practice head public sector, MU. “Her insight into the public sector and socially critical organizations will strengthen our ability to advise leaders facing increasingly complex societal challenges and to build partnerships with public-sector clients internationally.”
Ms. Krag will be based in Hellerup, Denmark bringing her experience and perspective into close collaboration with colleagues across the organization. She brings more than 18 years of experience from Danish politics, government, board work and international organizations. Ms. Krag has played a key role in major reforms within welfare, healthcare, elderly care, child welfare, and municipal finance. She also has a strong personal interest in healthcare and life science. Throughout her career, Ms. Krag has achieved results by bringing people together across sectors and interests. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership, communication, transformation, governance, stakeholder engagement and change management in complex organizations.
At MU, Ms. Krag will contribute her knowledge of leadership in public and socially critical organizations, political and regulatory processes, and cross-sector partnerships. Her international experience includes work with the EU, the UN, the World Bank and the Nordic Council, as well as capacity-building projects in Asia.
“Everything begins and ends with people,” said Ms. Krag. “That is one of the clearest lessons I take with me from nearly two decades in top-level politics. We are navigating major geopolitical shifts and rapid technological development with far-reaching consequences. In a more complex and unpredictable world, knowledge-based and professional leadership matters more than ever — and I look forward to contributing to that at MU.”
Related: Mercuri Urval Group Appoints Sector Leader
Mercuri Urval is a global executive search and talent advisory firm. The firm was founded in 1967. Today, Mercuri Urval works with more than 3,000 clients – across all sectors – in over 70 countries every year. It is the only global executive search and leadership advisory firm based in the Nordics.
New Non-Executive Director
MU recently announced that Jan Sasse, partner at AlterInvest, was named as non-executive director to the MU group board. He joined current board members Cecilia Strand, Mieke Weijenberg, Cecilia Beer, Richard Moore, and chairman Roger Hagafors. “We are pleased to welcome Jan Sasse as non-executive director of the MU group board,” said Mr. Hagafors. “I very much look forward to work together with Jan in the continuous development of MU as a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm.”
Mr. Sasse brings extensive experience from the investment and professional services industries in both executive and non-executive roles. He has a background in commercial strategy, finance and professional services and his expertise is expected to support the board’s work and contribute to constructive discussion on growth, performance, and long-term value development.
In his position as partner at AlterInvest, Mr. Sasse works with private market investments and capital raising for foundations, private equity investors, and family offices. Before this, he was CEO of Tesi, Finnish Industry Investment. During his time there, he led a major investment organization and improved performance through partner selection, investment decisions, and management team development.
“With his strong international network, broad board and leadership experience, and deep expertise in strategy, finance, and organizational development, Jan will bring valuable perspective to the MU group board,” the search firm said. “His skill set and experience will strengthen our continued development as a leading international executive search and leadership advisory firm, supporting our ambition to drive long-term growth, deliver excellence to clients, and remain at the forefront of leadership and talent advisory in a rapidly changing world.”
Related: Mercuri Urval Expands Senior Staff
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
