Five quick questions with Rikard Ölander, our IT Project Manager
What do you do at work?
I am an IT project manager with a background in industrial engineering and management. As an Epic Delivery Owner, I work in an agile way to drive projects forward. I’ve worked for 25 years on assignments in IT and telecom, for example with Ericsson and Telenor. Euroclear plays a role as an infrastructure provider to the market. We simply have to get the job done on time.
What is the best thing about Euroclear Sweden?
It’s a small organization that does big and important work. The registers of accounts and share ledgers we manage are at the heart of the financial market—without us, trading stops. I enjoy working with IT in a new industry for me, in an environment that is open, helpful, and free from quarterly pressure. Plus, the office is centrally located and has positive energy.
What can you bring to Euroclear?
I create the conditions for our team to deliver—the right tools, the right people, the right focus. As a project manager, I act as a filter between stakeholders, management, and project participants, helping to prioritize. It’s important to keep a cool head, especially when things get messy.
What are you most proud of?
Closing a project after a successful delivery—most recently, it was an upgrade of our development environment. I’ve always been able to stay calm and communicate clearly—both at work and as a football coach. You have to be able to let go of stress between intense work periods. For me, the best way to do this is to take my boat out. On the sea, you’re just in the moment.
What are you less proud of?
I sometimes have trouble saying no and sometimes take on other people’s assignments. I should have a note on my screen that says: “Is this my responsibility?” And to be honest—I really wish I could dance, but I have two left feet.
