About us
About 421
421 is an advisory and consultancy firm that creates value for our clients by leveraging our payments, regulatory and change management expertise. Our clients are mainly found in the Nordic countries’ financial services sector.
Proactive
We seek information, we don’t wait for it. We care about results and getting things done for our customers.
Solution focused
We help our customers by delivering solutions. We specialize in solving complex problems and we constantly explore ideas and options for how to help our customers improve.
Positive
We strive to reach results that will make a positive difference for our customers. We are passionate about what we do, and we want motivating and inspiring results.
Integrity
It is important that we hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity for the sake of both our customers and ourselves. Integrity creates trust, which is one of our most valuable assets. We want this reflected in our actions, which are always to be honest, fair and respectful.
Leading the future of Payments
Leveraging our payments, regulatory and change management expertise
421 was founded in 2010, we have since then strived to help companies within the financial sector by leveraging our payments, regulatory and change management expertise to create value for our clients.
At 421 we have gained deep insight into payments working from across the industry and markets. Our team of experts help prepare our clients for the payment landscape of tomorrow. We aim to build partnerships with our clients, and it is our firm belief that the right change, done the right way, with the right people is the key to helping our clients achieve their goals.
421 is an organization with an entrepreneurial mindset, with an inclusive and friendly company culture. We believe this reflects our goal of being the best employer for consultants in financial services. Our biggest asset is our people, and we cherish the “we” in our deliveries.
Gender equal
Our company is committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace, aiming for a balanced representation of men and women. Our long-term strategy aims to create a socially inclusive and fair environment for all employees.
Climate compensated
We climate compensate for the company and work related emissions. Last year our climate compensation contributed to a solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Agenda 2030
We work actively with Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainability Goals in order to contribute to a social, economic and environmentally sustainable development.
Our team
Get to know our team
Richard Lindblom
Managing Partner
Mikael Hjorth
Partner
Carl Johan Molander
Manager
Joakim Nilsson
Partner
Anna Ödling
Head of People
Emma Wadmark
Marketing Manager & Senior Consultant
Juliana Paulus
Senior Consultant
Gustav Dahlström
Manager
Shabnam Marboot
Manager
shabnam.marboot@421.se
Shabnam is a Manager at 421 and has extensive experience in project management role, including complex regulatory projects such as GDPR, as well as risk analyst and resource management roles within the financial sector.
In addition to financial sector, Shabnam has experience of working in two International Organisations (including United Nations) as international consultant, with focus on energy efficiency related projects, event management and strategic planning both in Sweden and in Austria.
During her spare time, Shabnam enjoys doing sports including playing basketball and swimming; spending time with friends and family, and on top of all, travelling around the world.
Richard Lindblom
Managing Partner
richard.lindblom@421.se
Richard is a senior consultant and partner at 421 and has a specialization in large scale program and project management within the financial sector.
Prior to joining 421, Richard has held various positions as e.g. senior executive at a global financial software company and line position in a Swedish bank.
When he is not working, you can most often find Richard in a kayak, submerged or on a bike trying to catch-up with his colleagues.
Mikael Hjorth
Partner
mikael.hjorth@421.se
Partner at 421 and has been with the company since 2016, when he joined as senior project manager. He has extensive experience from business development, project management and business transformation in fast moving companies, within areas such as Credit Management, FinTech and M&A, where growth always has been a key factor.
Prior to joining 421, Mikael has held several key positions within some of the largest FinTech start-ups in the Nordics. Most recently he was part of the start-up team behind Qliro as Head of Credit and later Head of New Product Development.
When Mikael is not building 421 into the next generation consultancy is he probably either learning a new sport, spending time with his family and dog or out traveling.
Carl Johan Molander
Manager
carl-johan.molander@421.se
Carl Johan is a Manager at 421 and has a specialization in Project Management and PMO roles within the financial sector. He has gathered experience and developed a profound knowledge about processes within capital markets, operations and retail banking as well as business services.
Prior to joining 421, Carl Johan worked for a Nordic bank and he has held a number of project management roles within IT-implementation projects and process and cost optimization.
At his spare time, Carl Johan enjoys spending time with his family and as a golf enthusiast, he is spending plenty of time at the golf course with friends. Besides that, he has an addiction to alpine skiing and a profound love for racket sports.
Joakim Nilsson
Partner
joakim.nilsson@421.se
Joakim is a senior consultant and partner at 421 with a track record of leading complex change initiatives within the Nordic banking sector. The initiatives often have a group-wide impact in the complex intersection of business, IT and regulations.
Prior to founding 421, Joakim worked as a consultant for a major consultancy firm working out of Madrid and Stockholm.
When he is not working, he enjoys taking an early round of golf with friends or spending time in the archipelago.
Anna Ödling
Head of People
anna.odling@421.se
Anna has been with 421 since April 2018 as Head of People, with responsibilities such as recruitment, talent management and HR tasks in general.
Previously in her career, Anna worked in various roles within HR, recruitment and consultancy business.
In her spare time, you will find her in the stable or with her husband and dachshund in the woods near the house at Drottningholm.
Emma Wadmark
Marketing Manager & Senior Consultant
emma.wadmark@421.se
Emma is a part-time senior consultant with a diverse background in PMO office, agile project management using SAFe methods, anti-money laundering as well as business analysis. Emma also has experience as head of finance at a consulting firm, as well as a backgroud within professional golf.
She is also part time Marketing Manager at 421, managing everything within marketing; from webpage, content creation, social media and more.
On her spare time, she enjoys doing anything outdoorsy and active including hiking, skiing, running, and spending time with her family. She also has a huge passion for interior design and spends a lot of her free time doing DIY projects or renovating at home.
Juliana Paulus
Senior Consultant
juliana.paulus@421.se
Juliana has an experienced background within banking where she has shown many skills. She has worked as a key person whilst developing processes for automating trading of mutual traded funds. In addition, other processes that she preserved were transaction monitoring and external account maintenance in relation to AML/KYC. She made sure to build sustainable processes for future colleagues to have smoother transitions into the tasks. Thus, it was natural for her coordinate her team and ensure accurate and precise knowledge transfers.
Outside of work, Juliana goes into two modes: either she is surrounded with the company of her family and friends enjoying good food, or she is enjoying quality time with herself by doing puzzles, looking for new sneaker releases or watching old school mobster movies.
Gustav Dahlström
Manager
gustav.dahlstrom@421.se
Gustav has experience from the financial industry working with business development and project management within several major banks in Sweden. Additionally, he has experience from other industries such as telecom and e-health. Gustav is thriving when he operates in the area between business and IT.
Prior to joining 421, Gustav worked at a global IT-Management Consulting firm focusing on project management and operational excellence.
During his spare time, Gustav enjoys all kinds of sports and exercise. He has played football on a high level, enjoys spending time in the gym and plays floorball regularly. Besides sports, he likes to spend time with his family and travelling around the world.