Erik Belfrage
Erik Belfrage | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 April 1946 Paris, France |
| Died | 18 April 2020 (aged 74) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Occupation(s) | Diplomat, banking leader, political advisor |
| Years active | 1970–2020 |
| Known for | Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs diplomat; Vice president at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken; Chairman of Swedish Institute of Management, Centre for European Policy Studies, Swedish Institute of International Affairs; Head of ICC’s Global Commission on Responsible Business Conduct |
Erik Jean Christian Antoine Belfrage (13 April 1946 – 18 April 2020) was a notable Swedish diplomat, banking leader, and political advisor. His career in the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs spanned from 1970 until 1987, after which he moved into the private sector as vice president at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken and served as a consultant for Investor AB. Belfrage also held prominent leadership positions such as chairman of the Swedish Institute of Management, Centre for European Policy Studies, and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. He played a significant role in advancing responsible business practices through the International Chamber of Commerce.
Early life and education
Erik Belfrage was born in Paris, France, to envoy Kurt-Allan Belfrage and Renée Puaux. His brother, Frank Belfrage, is recognized as both an economist and diplomat. In 1970, Erik earned his civilekonom degree from the Stockholm School of Economics.
Career
Between 1970 and 1987, Belfrage served as a diplomat with postings in Geneva, Washington, D.C., Bucharest, Stockholm, and Paris. In 1987, he transitioned to the corporate world by assuming the role of vice president at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken and acting as an advisor to Investor AB. He provided counsel to Peter Wallenberg Sr. and the Wallenberg family until 2012.
Belfrage’s leadership extended to chairing institutions such as the Swedish Institute of Management, Centre for European Policy Studies, Swedish Institute of International Affairs, and the Sigtuna School Foundation. His governance experience included board memberships at Saab AB and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), along with serving as vice chairman of the Finance Commission within the International Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, he was affiliated with the Trilateral Commission and held a board position at the Jacques Delors Institute.
As head of ICC’s Global Commission on Responsible Business Conduct, Belfrage was instrumental in establishing ICC and international business entities as influential contributors to sustainable development dialogues. He advised ICC chairs Peter Wallenberg Sr. (1989–1990) and Marcus Wallenberg (2006–2007), later leading ICC’s European national committees from 2013 through 2019.
Personal life
In 1993, he married Anna Carlberg (born 1953).
Death
Belfrage passed away on 18 April 2020 at Saint Göran Hospital in Stockholm after contracting COVID-19 amid the pandemic.
Awards
- Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria (1997)
- International Chamber of Commerce Sweden Medal of Merit (31 March 2023)