Fredrik Lofthagen is the Chief Executive of Interel, a European Strategic Communications and Public Affairs consultancy. He joined the company in 1996 as a consultant and became Director with responsibility for the company’s European Public Affairs practice shortly after. He was made Partner and Managing Director in 1999 and Chief Executive in January 2006.

During his time as practice leader, he was able to secure a leadership position for the company’s European Public Affairs business in Brussels, recruiting and retaining some 20 consultants and developing an impressive client roster of predominantly blue-chip companies.

Fredrik continues to combine his management responsibilities with a passion for consultancy. As well as masterminding a number of high profile campaigns, he is regularly asked to counsel top executives on EU affairs and often takes an active role on some of Interel’s major client assignments.

During nearly 14 years as a communications professional, he has supported companies and organisations from a wide range of business sectors, including fast moving consumer products, ICT, pharmaceuticals and financial services. His experience also covers a number of different communications disciplines including EU lobbying, International media relations, coalition building, endorser programmes and public procurement consulting.

Before joining Interel, Fredrik was employed by the Law Society of England and Wales to represent and promote the interests of British solicitors within the EU institutions. He also spent a year as practicing lawyer with Belgian law firm De Bandt, van Hecke & Lagae, now part of Linklaters.

Fredrik holds a Masters Degree in European Community Law from the University of Lund, Sweden. He is the co-author of EU-Initiatives, a comprehensive guide to all major EU legislative proposals. He is regularly lecturing on EU affairs and campaign management and is an active Member of the Board of the Society of European Affairs Professionals.

He speaks Swedish, English and French