When Corporate Governance and Entrepreneurship Coexist – Without the Complexity

When Sjöson grew into a group with numerous companies, boards, and joint initiatives, the demands for structure, transparency, and quality assurance increased. At the same time, it was crucial not to lose the entrepreneurial drive that characterizes the entire group. The solution was a unified approach to board and management work – with Hippoly as the central hub.

The Challenge: Scaling Governance with Growth

Sjöson is built on a strong foundation of values – mutuality, courage, sharpness, and passion – and views itself as a long-term project of a lifetime. With majority ownership in its companies and a clear group structure, there were high ambitions for governance and quality in board work from an early stage.

However, as the number of companies, boards, and shared forums grew, the traditional way of working became increasingly vulnerable. Board communication and document management were largely handled via SharePoint and email. While this worked reasonably well internally, it quickly became cumbersome when involving external board members and subsidiaries. Issues with access, differing email domains, and a lack of overview created unnecessary administration and uncertainty.

Previously, Sjöson had also tested a dedicated board tool but found it too rigid and difficult to adapt to the reality of an entrepreneurial group. The result was a patchwork of parallel solutions – and a feeling that no one truly had full control.

The Turning Point: A Need for Simplicity, Not More Systems

In early 2025, Sjöson began actively searching for a new way of working. The requirements were clear:

• It must be easy to use, even for CEOs and executives with limited time.
• Secure access for both internal and external roles.
• The ability to work across multiple boards and groups simultaneously.
• Structure and traceability – without unnecessary complexity.

After comparing several options, the choice fell on Hippoly. The deciding factor was the combination of user-friendliness, security, and a setup with separate workspaces – perfectly adapted for organisations with multiple boards and forums.

The Solution: A Central Hub for the Entire Group

Ulrika Garbrant, Group CEO, serves as a board member for all subsidiaries and, together with Louice Lundgren Tutak, Group CFO & Head of Governance, acts as the unifying link across the group. With clear rules of procedure and common principles for meetings, minutes, and reporting, Hippoly has become the natural hub.

An unexpected but highly appreciated feature has been the Fact Tab, which provides quick access to credit reports and basic company data – particularly valuable in a group with many legal entities.

Louice Lundgren Tutak and Ulrika Garbrant

The Result: Better Governance, Less Administration

The effects were felt quickly:

• Significantly improved control over governance.
• Reduced administration and fewer manual steps.
• Easier distribution of monthly reports and board materials.
• Greatly reduced vulnerability during organisational changes.

“When everything goes through Hippoly, we minimize the risk of information being lost. No one can say they didn’t receive the material.” Louice Lundgren Tutak Group CFO & Governance Sjöson

When Sjöson recently appointed a new CEO for a subsidiary, the transition was seamless. The new CEO could quickly get up to speed on both history and current status – without being dependent on specific individuals or searching through old inboxes.

Even during audits, the workflow has been significantly simplified. Auditors are invited directly to the relevant workspaces, saving both time and frustration.

Truly Simple

“It has an iPhone-like feel – you understand how it works immediately.” Ulrika Garbrant Group CEO Sjöson

A key insight has been how quickly users have adopted the system. CEOs now set up their own meetings, including extra board sessions, without the need for support or extensive training.

Why Hippoly?

For Sjöson, the choice wasn’t about having the most features, but about finding the right level:

• Powerful enough for a complex group.
• Simple enough for everyday use.
• Significantly more cost-effective than many alternatives.

Looking Ahead

With a unified approach to board and management work, Sjöson is better equipped for continued growth. New companies, new boards, and new initiatives can be integrated without having to build new structures every time.

The focus can remain where it belongs – on business, development, and long-term value creation.