Mikael Bjorknert.Photo: mind.ua
On 7 October 2024, PrivatBank’s Supervisory Board announced the appointment of Swedish banker Mikael Björknerth as Chairman of the Management Board of Ukraine’s largest state-owned bank. Bjorknert’s selection was the result of a thorough international competitive selection process that included specialists from both Ukraine and abroad. This was reported by the bank’s press service.
This appointment underlines Ukraine’s readiness to attract the world’s best experts even in times of war. PrivatBank continues its mission of strengthening the country’s economic resilience, in particular in the context of integration with the European Union, which is a key priority for Ukraine. Under Mr Burkner’s leadership, the bank is expected to strengthen its contribution to the recovery of the Ukrainian economy.
A unique experience for management
Mikael Björknerth has over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, having held senior positions in leading financial institutions. Prior to PrivatBank, he was Head of Banking at Swedbank, where he implemented strategic initiatives, including digital transformation and development of a customer-centric business model. Under his leadership, Swedbank made significant progress in providing modern banking services in both retail and corporate segments.
Prior to Swedbank, Björknerth worked at international financial institutions such as Bankgirot and SEB Bank and was a member of the Board of Directors at Nasdaq in Sweden. His expertise includes strategic planning, international transactions and global financial process management.
A new stage for PrivatBank
In his new role, Bjorknert plans to focus on accelerating digital initiatives and developing the bank’s customer-centric services. He sees his main task as maintaining the trust of PrivatBank’s 18 million customers and preparing the institution for future challenges. The bank’s robust digital ecosystem, together with its extensive branch network, will ensure that it continues to provide quality services to both retail customers and small and medium-sized businesses.
Nils Melngailis, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PrivatBank, praised the appointment of Björknerth, noting that his experience in digital banking and strategic management will help to maintain PrivatBank’s key role in stabilising the Ukrainian financial system. “We are confident that under his leadership, the bank will continue to provide high-quality services and remain a reliable partner for Ukrainians in these difficult times,” Melngailis said.
Sustainability and trust
In his first comment as a candidate for the position of the Chairman of the Management Board, Michael Burknerth emphasised: “I am honoured to join the PrivatBank team. The bank has demonstrated remarkable resilience in extremely challenging times, and I look forward to working with the team to further develop trust and innovation to support the Ukrainian people.”
His appointment is subject to the approval of the National Bank of Ukraine, but it is already clear that this decision strengthens PrivatBank’s position as a leader in the banking sector and a reliable financial partner for millions of Ukrainians.
PrivatBank serves over 18 million active customers and employs over 19,000 people, continuing to play a leading role in the development of Ukraine’s economy during the war.
