Jeanette Sandberg Becomes New Managing Director of Kolmården

(eap) The Kolmården animal and leisure park in the Swedish municipality of Norrköping will get a new manager. On May 1, Jeanette Sandberg will take over as CEO from Christine Karmfalk, who has held the position for seven years. Sandberg has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, having spent over 16 years in various management positions, including at Scandic Hotels and most recently as business area manager at Kolmården with responsibility for Vildmarkshotellet. Under Sandberg’s leadership, Vildmarkshotellet has established itself as both a conference hotel and a popular destination for families with children, as the park states.

“Kolmården has taken me by storm since I came here in 2019. There are so many opportunities here and a huge commitment among all employees. I am honoured to take on this new position and it will be a pleasure to lead this destination together with our fantastic employees,” Sandberg emphasizes.

Christine Karmfalk explains: “It is with mixed feelings that I have decided to leave my position. It has been a lot of fun and I am proud of what we have achieved over the last few years. At the same time, I feel ready for new challenges and it is a good feeling that I am handing over to Jeanette Sandberg. She is incredibly talented, and I am very impressed by what Jeanette has achieved in the years we have worked together.”

“Christine Karmfalk has made an invaluable contribution to Kolmården. Thanks to her extensive knowledge and strong will, the park has developed fantastically despite the pandemic and the difficult years for households. Today we have a Kolmården that is stronger than ever, and I would really like to thank Christine for that. Now we welcome Jeanette, an incredibly capable leader who I have been able to follow from the sidelines in recent years,” adds Christer Fogelmarck, CEO of the operator group Parks and Resorts.

Kolmården is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year and is opening “Trollskogen”, a themed area for the whole family with various play elements, just in time for its anniversary (read more in the Park Report in our new EAP issue 2/2025). ■