Johan Olsson joined us right at the start of 2022 as a senior management consultant. He brings a wealth of international experience from having spent the last 15 years abroad. Luckily for us, he is as passionate about the life science industry as we are and has gained expertise in everything from valuations, building and scaling companies to understanding the investor mindset. We are excited to have him bolster our skillset as part of the MSC team – welcome Johan!
Can you tell us about your background?
Well, it’s quite a broad question, so let me start to tell you a bit about myself and my journey that led me to where I am today.
Early on, I realized the life science, and in particular biotechnology was a field that appealed to me, and as a result I completed a master’s degree in molecular biology and a bachelor’s degree focused on finance, together with oncology research at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
It was during the latter that I started to glance at the private sector and my professional career started to take form. My journey enabled me to experience many facets of the life science industry and it brought me to England, Switzerland and now back to Sweden.
Other than having had the opportunity to explore the Yorkshire moors, my four years at Pharmalicensing gave me the opportunity to build and lead a consulting division dedicated to life science licensing activities. I therefore moved to Switzerland to learn the art of valuation of life science ventures, while having the chance to explore the magnificent mountains, from Grisons to Valais.
After having dedicated five years on valuations of life science companies, I felt that it was time to use my acquired knowledge and “toolbox” to work operationally and assist entrepreneurs to accelerate their path towards the next value inflection point. This was the start of my entrepreneurial journey that allowed me to work with a range of innovation driven life science, social impact ventures and investors, as well as leading a three-year turn-around case of a Swiss CDMO company.
Looking back, it was an exciting time, where I learned a lot and built many long-term relations with likeminded people around the globe.
I very much appreciate that my career thus far has brought me to explore different cultures and given me the opportunity to be active in a range of industry verticals. This truly enables me to emphasize with and bring different stakeholders together, which is paramount while working with entrepreneurs to build and scale their businesses, and for projects that are focused on working closely with investors.
Returning to Sweden after having spent 15 years abroad was something that wasn’t planned, but covid-19 happened, so having a professional base closer to my family felt important.
“MSC Nordics utilizes its comprehensive understanding of valuation, business development and communication, as a foundation for assisting its clients to develop data driven strategies.”
Why did you choose to join MSC?
I found it very appealing that MSC Nordics were involved in a variety of strategy-related topics; where MSC Nordics utilizes its comprehensive understanding of valuation, business development and communication, as a foundation for assisting its clients to develop data driven strategies.
It was also important that MSC Nordics is a small and focused boutique consulting firm that has a big potential, which was clear to me since the company established itself as a trusted firm within its ecosystem.
Finally, I must add that it was my first meeting with Tobias, Julia and Stine during the recruitment process that I felt that their values very much resonated with my own and that this was the professional environment that felt right for me.
What do you look forward to most in joining MSC?
I’m looking forward to sharing experiences with my colleagues, which will enable all of us to grow as individuals as well as professionals. Additionally, I look forward to having the joy of partaking in the very exciting growth journey that in my opinion awaits MSC Nordics.
What is the best career advice you have ever received? What are you most proud of in your professional life thus far?
The best career advice I had was to work with something that brings me joy. I would say that I’m most proud of having followed that advice through my career and for being very open to leaving my comfort zone several times. The latter was very much inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s “The man in the arena” speech at the Sorbonne on the 23rd of April 1910.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m passionate about sports (skiing, equestrian, tennis, fencing and general fitness such as calisthenics related exercises), cooking, psychology, innovation, longevity, personal development. Lastly, I must also add that I have been fortunate to view my work as a “hobby.”
Johan Olsson, senior management consultant
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