After several years at Sveriges Television (Swedish public broadcaster), where Johan Eckervad worked on foreign security for correspondents, he has now returned to the defence sector. As head of the newly established Operational Security division at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), he has been tasked with building a new capability to meet today's heightened threat landscape. Johan spoke to Nordic Defence Sector News about his journey and the challenges that lie ahead.

What is your background?

– I have a broad background across several areas, but it all started as a platoon medic with the 3rd Jaeger Mortar Platoon in Karlsborg (central Sweden). After that, I carried out a number of international missions and served with various readiness units, always with a focus on medical care. On the civilian side, I worked in pre-hospital emergency care as a paramedic, including in Luleå (northern Sweden), Uppsala (central Sweden) and Stockholm (capital), Johan explains, and continues:

Internationally, I also worked at the Swedish embassies in Kabul and Mogadishu, where I was part of the security teams for several years. I also worked in China for a period. Most recently, I came from Sveriges Television, where for six and a half years I was responsible for the foreign security of their international correspondents.

Why did you return to the defence sector?

– At my previous workplace, I felt that the level of ambition was beginning to decline. At the same time, I saw that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) had published a vacancy that signalled a high level of ambition, at a time when Sweden was on its way into NATO. That made the choice straightforward for me.

What drew you to this role and to FMV in particular?

– When I started looking for new positions in the security sector, there were essentially two employers that caught my interest: Saab and FMV. Both have an excellent reputation and have positioned themselves strongly in the current global security environment, he says, and continues:

When FMV then advertised a position where the assignment was to build an entirely new capability within the agency, particularly in light of Sweden's NATO membership and support to Ukraine, it felt more like a duty to apply. It felt as though both the role and the assignment suited me and my background perfectly.

What does your new position involve?

– In my role as head of operational security, my primary assignment is to build a new capability within FMV. This involves recruiting the right people, identifying where the new capability will make the greatest difference, and strengthening operational security for both personnel and operations.

Can you explain that in more detail?

– The areas I will focus most on are event security, security training, personal protection and foreign security. The responsibility is significant, but with a forward-leaning and bold approach, I am convinced that my team and I will achieve a great deal together with FMV.

What is at the top of your agenda for the next six months?

– The most important thing right now is to carry out the best possible recruitment of new staff. After that, the next step is to continue integrating the operational capability into FMV's various activities, in order to deliver maximum benefit and safeguard operations. In today's world, we have no time to lose.

Why is FMV establishing this new division?

– The new division is a direct response to the turbulent global security environment we find ourselves in. FMV has important assignments from the government, and these must be carried out regardless of time, place or circumstances. To succeed in that, we need to strengthen our ability to manage operational security.

What will the new division do?

– Our task is to work within our primary areas of responsibility, but also to collaborate with other parts of FMV and other government agencies. Since this capability is entirely new, we need to create and strengthen procedures within the agency, acquire the necessary materiel, and build up expertise that makes us a leading authority among agencies in these matters. It will be very hard work, but it is also an exciting assignment that lies ahead of us.

Nordic Defence Sector (NDS) has previously interviewed, among others, Tobias Billström and Karin Swanson in this series. If you know someone who would be suitable for this interview series, or feel that you yourself are a good fit, NDS can be reached at news@nordicdefencesector.com. Please mark the email "New on the Job".