Major General Mikael Frisell has today been appointed as the new Director General for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. He succeeds Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, who has led the agency since 2021. Mikael Frisell is currently the head of the Command and Economic Staff at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and will assume his new position on November 1.

The news was announced during a press conference with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) together with Mikael Frisell.

Mikael Frisell began his military career as a conscript at the Skaraborg Regiment, P 4. He has since served as the commander of the Northern Military Region, Chief of Staff at the Nordic Battlegroup, and military advisor to two Supreme Commanders. Before his role as head of the Command Staff, Frisell was head of the Army Materiel Division at FMV.

“It is with great humility that I take on the role of Director General, to lead the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the development of civil defense in the times we face,” says Mikael Frisell during the press conference.

“The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency is and will be a key player in strengthening Sweden's security and resilience,” he continues.

Mikael Frisell will assume his new position on November 1. Charlotte Petri Gornitzka will leave the role of Director General at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency on October 31 and will assume the position of County Governor of Gotland County the following day.

During the press conference, the Prime Minister also announced that the agency will change its name to the Agency for Civil Defense on January 1 and will make certain changes to the government's instructions to the agency.

“The name change is also part of a cultural transformation journey,” says Carl-Oskar Bohlin.