David Karlsson

David has a background as a fisherman in Ireland. Photo: Oskar Omne

The heart is in theright place here. Insteadof just focusing oncutting costs, we aregiven the conditions toperform better.

How come you were interested in working for Soya Group? 

“I hadn’t planned on switching jobs but was contacted by a recruiter who sent me the job posting. It contained a big chunk about the group and how they worked. I thought it was super interesting with all the different areas we work in. I grew up with horses and have worked as a fisherman in Ireland, so horses and boats are close to my heart.” 

Is there a Soya Group spirit?

“It is friendly here! At my previous jobs, we would talk a lot about wanting to build a caring and supporting culture. Here, at Soya Group, we already have it.” 

What was your first day like?

“We had decided that I should notify the reception when I arrived. I was running a little late, so I hurried in and saw in the corner of my eye a large group of people outside, but when I opened the front door, the reception was empty. And when I turned around, I saw a fire truck. They had just had a fire drill evacuation and at last I managed to find my new manager in the crowd.” 

What’s the most rewarding project you have worked on?

“The most exciting project on my end is Wallfast’s new building Modellen 4, that I will manage when finished. A wooden building is a new experience for me.” 

What are the important factors necessary to succeed within Soya Group?

“I have experienced a real kindness where people make time for you to help out. To succeed here, I think you need to embrace that culture.”  

What makes Soya Group different from other workplaces?

The heart is in the right place here. Instead of just focusing on cutting costs, we are given the conditions to perform better. There is also a drive to collaborate that is new to me. People want to show others what they have done and be of help in different projects.” 

How important is sustainability in your work?

“My biggest challenge is to bring our old buildings up to date and make them more energy efficient. Our newer buildings are already there, but we can always do more. We are also focusing on buying appliances and materials that last, to minimise the waste we generate. Another aspect is social sustainability, where we engage and invest in areas that need to catch up, where we have tenants.”  

What cutting-edge technology do you use in your work?

“When we go to exhibitions and conferences, the things we see presented there are often something that we have tried before or already use. We are front-runners and we like to test the latest innovations, especially when it comes to energy efficiency.”

Meet our other colleagues Helena Axelsson and Christine Lagergren