About the Diversity Charter

Part of the world's largest network on diversity and inclusion issues, the programme brings together

17,000 organisations representing over 17 million employees.

About us

Welcome to the world's largest diversity and inclusion network. Diversity Charter Sweden is a springboard for companies and organisations that want to increase their creativity and competitiveness with the help of the dynamics of an organisation that puts diversity before sameness. Here you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in all seven grounds of discrimination linked to your business and operational benefits.

There are a number of studies that show that diversity in the workplace is positive for the development and profitability of companies and organizations. Therefore, we believe that diversity and inclusion should be an obvious and integrated issue in every modern company and organization's strategy. That is the basis for why Diversity Charter Sweden was started.

Businesses and organisations have an important role to play in ensuring non-discrimination, diversity and inclusion. By signing Diversity Charters, organisations make a voluntary commitment to create and maintain an inclusive working environment for their employees without discrimination on the basis of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Management Board 2024-2025

Podcast on diversity and inclusion

Listen to our President Petra Karmteg's participation in the Sobano podcast. Gives a clear picture of her driving forces, what diversity and inclusion is and what we stand for! 

Diversity Charter Sweden is a springboard for companies and organisations that want to increase their creativity and competitiveness through the dynamics of an organisation that values diversity over sameness.

The initiators who were involved in the launch of Diversity Charter Sweden 2010

Our history

The European Union (EU) adopted the motto "United in Diversity" in 2000, which it believes unites Europeans through the EU in the pursuit of peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages of Europe are a positive asset to the continent.

The first Charter was the French one, formed by a group of companies in 2004 when they joined forces to create better conditions for integration in their own organisations while working with a broader societal perspective. In 2010, the non-profit organisation Diversity Charter Sweden was formed and launched by A-search (now A-Talent Group), Axfood, Lectia, L'Oreal, Managing Diversity, Novartis, Scandic, Skanska, Sodexo and Volvo Cars. Diversity Charter Sweden then became the seventh Charter in Europe and today the Diversity Charter exists in 27 EU countries.

Board of Directors

President

Petra Karmteg

COO, DNB Sweden 

Treasurer

Henry Abraham

Communication Manager, Mestergruppen

Vice President

Paolo Pelacchi

People & Culture Director, ISS Facility Services Sweden

Member

Convener of the Communications Committee

Cathrine Lindvall McKnight

Head of Operations for the High Flex division, Mycronic

Secretary

Kicki Lilliedrake

Head of Communications, Fastigo

Member

Convener of the Regional Group

Caroline Liwång

Head of Service Management, ITSM & ISDM, Handelsbanken.

Member

Nazanin Nematshahi

SMC director, Microsoft 

Member

Convener of the Production Group

David Pamsjö

Head of HR, Cancer Foundation

Porträtt av en man med glasögon och svart hår, iförd slips, där bilden är beskuren vid hans axlar.

Member

Shamsher Kahn

Director Energy Trading, Stockholm Exergi & Founder

Substitute

EU Affairs Convener

Liselott Vahermägi

Founder, LEDA20

Substitute

Ulrika Wikberg

HR Director, Beijer Byggmaterial

Chancellery

General Secretary

Anna Carlsson Sigstedt

Adjunct on the Board of Diversity Charter Sweden

Communicator

Maya Estelle