"There is a need for more people who move between politics and the economy in both directions. I am pleased to contribute to reducing that chasm and increasing trust," says Maria Wetterstrand.

"I am extremely pleased that Maria is coming onto the Board. She is an authority on sustainability and the environment, who commands great respect in all camps," says Magnus Borglund, Chairman of the Board at White.

For almost ten years, Maria Wetterstrand was a member of the Swedish parliament and mouthpiece for the Swedish Green Party. In September 2011, she left politics and has been acting since then as an independent debater, writer and lecturer. At heart she is still green and environmental issues are at the top of her agenda.

"I met White's CEO, Monica von Schmalensee, at a construction industry conference, and she asked whether I could imagine myself taking up a place on the Board. At that time, I had already begun to wonder about a task such as this, to learn more about how the private economy functions and about the knowledge and ideas I would be able to contribute."

White is an industry pioneer in sustainability, with unique experience and competence. Internationally, Monica von Schmalensee is in demand as a lecturer within the field of low-energy construction and social planning, focusing on sustainability.

"Maria is a clear reinforcement on our Board. We have a distinct shared foundation in environmental issues and I am looking forward now to being able to take up an even clearer position as a world-leader within sustainable building," says Monica von Schmalensee, who is also Chair of green industry organisation, Sweden Green Building Council.

Chair of the Board, Magnus Borglund, emphasises the importance of having independent members on the White board, where Maria Wetterstrand is now complementing Per-Håkan Westin (former CEO of property company AP Fastigheter) and Hans Bergenheim (business economist). Other people on the Board are White employees.

"We need people who are not different from us, who enable us to lift our gaze because of their different skills and new perspectives. Maria has a broad-based interest in society, and has skills that will benefit us greatly," says Magnus Borglund.

For information:
Magnus Borglund, Chair of the White Board, +46 (0)31 60 86 05
Monica von Schmalensee, CEO White, tel +46 (0)706 53 60 46
Maria Wetterstrand, tel +46 (0)702 42 416