Sofie Carsten Nielsen from Danish Industry (DI) and Morten Langager from the Danish Chamber of Commerce have joined the Board of Directors of Impact Fund Denmark. At the same time, Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone, State Secretary for Development Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, has joined the Board as an observer.
Sofie Carsten Nielsen is currently Executive Vice President, International Relations at DI. Previously, she served as EU Biosolutions Director at DI, where she led the work of building and managing a European coalition of business organisations to promote the use of microbiological solutions. She has also served as Denmark’s Minister for Higher Education and Research and was a member of the Government’s Coordination Committee and Economic Committee. In addition, she was political leader of the Danish Social Liberal Party and a Member of the Danish Parliament for a decade.
For the past seven years, Morten Langager has served as Director for Policy, Markets, Analysis and Communications at the Danish Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the organisation, he was, among other roles, Chief Executive Officer of Danish Media Association (Danske Medier) and a director at KMD. Over many years, he has also held positions as Head of Press and Communications and Special Adviser at the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone is State Secretary for Development Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and has more than 15 years of experience from the ministry. Her previous roles include serving as Denmark’s Ambassador to South Africa and Head of the Office for Green Diplomacy and Climate.
Strengthening ties with the Danish business community
As part of the Danish government’s development policy strategy, Impact Fund Denmark has an increased focus on strengthening the engagement of Danish companies in emerging and developing markets. The new board members bring extensive knowledge of the Danish business community and valuable insight into how Danish companies can expand their presence in growth markets.
The two new board members bring strong capabilities and extensive networks from the Danish business community. They will be important sparring partners in our efforts to help more Danish companies establish themselves in some of the world’s fastest-growing markets, enabling them to contribute to growth and job creation while expanding their businesses. We are therefore delighted to welcome them to the Board.
Commenting on her new role, Sofie Carsten Nielsen says:
As a small country with an open economy, it is essential to ensure that Danish companies have the best possible opportunities to engage globally, navigate markets around the world and seize emerging opportunities. Impact Fund Denmark plays a key role in this regard. Over recent years, the organisation has received a significant increase in funding, which comes with an important responsibility, particularly in collaboration with Danish companies. We must ensure that a stronger Impact Fund Denmark enables more Danish businesses to engage in developing and emerging markets, benefiting trade and investment both in Denmark and locally in the markets where they operate. At the same time, there is considerable potential in catalysing other investment funds, thereby strengthening the overall ecosystem for private capital in developing markets. I look forward to contributing to that effort.
Morten Langager also sees significant potential in closer collaboration between the business community and Impact Fund Denmark:
In a global and rapidly changing world, it is important that Danish companies operate in as many markets as possible. Many markets are experiencing strong growth, and Danish businesses should help drive and benefit from that growth. A broader international presence will strengthen both Danish companies and the Danish economy. One of the keys to achieving this is closer cooperation between Impact Fund Denmark and the Danish business community. I very much look forward to contributing to that agenda.
The new appointments strengthen Impact Fund Denmark’s ties to both the Danish business community and the development policy priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. These highly experienced profiles will help advance the ambition of promoting sustainable development while creating new opportunities for Danish companies.
About Impact Fund Denmark
Impact Fund Denmark is a Danish impact investor and Denmark’s development finance institution. It contributes to green, just and inclusive societies while advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Impact Fund Denmark provides risk capital to companies operating in developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Ukraine. Investments are made on commercial terms in the form of equity, loans and guarantees.
In addition, through its Public Infrastructure platform, Impact Fund Denmark provides concessional financing in the form of loans and grants to facilitate financing for large-scale public infrastructure projects in developing countries that cannot be financed on market terms.
Impact Fund Denmark has co-invested in more than 1,300 companies across more than 100 developing countries and emerging markets. Assets under management are expected to increase from DKK 25 billion in 2025 to DKK 45 billion by 2030.
SVP, Communication & Marketing
Charlotte Holst Frahm
+45 41 38 12 42
