I help insurance and health companies win in the Nordics.
Market entry, partnerships and commercial execution, from first meeting to working partnership. 25 years in insurance and banking.
Get in touchSome of my roles
- ZurichHead of Partner Business
- GjensidigeHead of Partner Business
- AmTrustSales Director Nordic A&H
- CignaHead of Sales
- AonClient Partner
- GEBusiness Development and Training Manager
Practice areas
Whether you are entering the Nordics or already established here, the work falls into one of three areas, often in financial services or other complex B2B businesses.
- 01
Market entry and international expansion
Entering a new market in the Nordics or Europe comes down to choosing the right strategy, setting the right priorities and building the relationships it takes to get in. I have worked with international companies across industries, among them MGAs and American companies looking for a foothold in the Nordics.
- 02
Strategic partnerships and business development
I help companies find the right partners, develop offerings together with them and make the partnerships work day to day, not just on paper.
- 03
Sales leadership and commercial execution
I support leadership teams with their sales strategy and with getting plans carried out. When needed, I step in operationally and drive the work together with the team.
Selected commercial impact
Three examples from earlier roles: what I did and what it led to.
ZurichLeading a team through the wind-down of a major bank relationship
The wind-down, including a large IT project and complex dependencies, was delivered according to plan in about a year, despite uncertainty in the team about its own future.
How it was done
The situation
To reduce costs, Zurich decided to wind down a substantial business with an international bank. The decision raised questions in the team about what it would mean for the rest of the business and for their own roles.
What I did
I led the team that carried out the wind-down. I coordinated the work so that it went according to plan, and spent a lot of time on the human side: keeping motivation up and helping the team stay focused through the uncertainty.
AmTrust NordicBuilding a new dental insurance product from scratch
The product reached tens of thousands of customers in Sweden and was taken to Norway and Denmark within three years.
How it was done
The situation
As Sales Director Nordic A&H at AmTrust Nordic, I took on developing a new dental insurance product from scratch, from idea to a finished offering with policy terms, processes and the right expertise behind it.
What I did
I led the concept development, including the policy terms and the processes around them. I worked closely with an underwriting team in London and a marketing team in Madrid, and coordinated the work all the way to launch.
GE, for CitibankLifting insurance sales in a bank's lending channel
The insurance sales conversion rate for loan customers rose from around 10% to around 60% in about seven months.
How it was done
The situation
When customers took out loans with Citibank, the sales staff could also offer insurance. The opportunities were there, but too few of them turned into insurance sales.
What I did
As Business Development and Training Manager at GE, I worked with Citibank's sales staff for about seven months. I ran sales training and motivation initiatives so that they spotted the opportunities in customer conversations and presented the insurance better. The focus was on how staff worked in a channel that already existed, not primarily on creating more sales opportunities.
About me
Profile on LinkedInMy background is both operational and strategic. I have built and led sales teams, established strategic partnerships with large international companies and helped create commercial opportunities in the Nordic market.
I have worked across the Nordics and with markets such as the UK, Spain and the Netherlands, and have led procurements across the EU. I have also sat on both sides of the table: as a business lead at a bank, and earlier as a supplier to banks such as Nordea, Swedbank and Santander Consumer Bank.
As Client Partner at Aon, I worked with the leadership teams of global listed companies on their risks. That taught me how large organizations make decisions, and what it takes to get in the door.
Current engagements
I currently have four ongoing engagements, in insurance, security, digital health and health.
- Listed Nordic company in insurance and security
Head of Strategic Partnerships
I develop the B2B business and the strategic partnerships across the Nordics and the US. I build corporate alliances and the commercial structure around them, from first conversations with potential partners to agreements that work in practice.
- One of the Nordics' fastest-growing digital health companies
Strategic Advisor
A tech-enabled European provider treating tens of thousands of patients across eight markets, backed by significant growth capital. I work with the leadership and commercial team on B2B strategy and corporate health: positioning, strategic partnerships and how large organisations buy.
- Established, listed Nordic specialist insurer
Senior Nordic Commercial Lead, Partnerships
I work on commercial strategy, partnerships and product development. I support the commercial team on where to grow, which partners to build with and how the offering is positioned across the Nordic markets.
- Early-stage venture at the intersection of health, insurance and technology
Co-founder
I contribute on strategy, concept and business development.
Working together
How we work together depends on what you need. It can be:
- Strategic advice and support for leadership teams
- Hands-on business development
- Interim commercial leadership
We agree on scope, time, responsibilities and fees together, based on the assignment.
If you operate in a regulated market such as insurance, I contribute on business model, strategy and partnerships. Anything that requires a licence is handled by a party that holds one.
Let's discuss your next strategic challenge.
Whether you are strengthening sales, building partnerships or entering a new market, a focused conversation can help clarify the opportunity and the next steps. I am also happy to talk about new ventures. Write a few lines and I will get back to you.
- Kristoffer Weiland