The evolving security landscape and increasing regulatory requirements are driving growing demand for protective security across both the public and private sectors. HiQ is strengthening its offering in this area by appointing Anders Spalding as Head of Protective Security. 

Anders Spalding has a background as an intelligence officer in the Swedish Armed Forces and brings over 15 years of experience in intelligence operations and military security and counterintelligence. He has subsequently worked in protective security, both as a consultant and in a role responsible for personnel security at Bankgirot. 

– Requirements for protective security are increasing rapidly, while many organisations lack the experience and structure needed to meet them. With Anders, we are strengthening our ability to support clients in managing these demands, both operationally and strategically, says Pernilla Rönn, Head of Cybersecurity at HiQ. 

This initiative also reflects growing demand from existing clients, where security has become a more central part of operations. 

– Protective security is an area where many organisations are undergoing a shift. It is not enough to comply with regulations. Organisations also need to understand how threats emerge in practice. I look forward to contributing that perspective, says Anders Spalding. 

HiQ strengthens its position across the full security spectrum 
As total defence considerations become more prominent, an increasing number of organisations are subject to protective security legislation. This places greater demands on everything from security vetting and background checks to long-term efforts to identify and mitigate insider-related risks. 

With this appointment, HiQ strengthens its position across the full security spectrum, from cybersecurity to protective security and national security. 

– Security needs to be managed as a whole. With this initiative, we can support our clients across all areas, from information security to personnel security and physical security, says Pernilla Rönn. 

For the fifth consecutive year, HiQ is proud to be a partner of Women in Tech Sweden, continuing its long-term commitment to a more inclusive and gender-equal tech industry. The partnership extends throughout 2026 and includes participation at the #WITswe2026 conference on April 22. 

This year’s theme, “Riding the Tides of Tech: Turning Pressure into Momentum,” highlights the rapid development of AI, evolving skill requirements, and how leadership and professional roles are transforming alongside technology. 

– The tech industry is evolving faster than ever. For us at HiQ, it’s not just about keeping up with change – it’s about helping shape it in an inclusive and responsible way. Together with Women in Tech Sweden, we create space for more perspectives at a time when both technology and society are changing rapidly, says Peter Arrhenius, CEO of HiQ. 

– We see new roles emerging while others are disappearing. This requires continuous learning, courage, and a culture where people are given the opportunity to grow. For HiQ, gender equality and diversity are integrated into how we build strong teams and deliver value to our clients. Our partnership with Women in Tech is an important part of that work, says Helena Herolf, Chief People Officer at HiQ. 

Women in Tech Sweden has grown from an annual event into a movement with more than 30,000 members. Through networking, role models, and knowledge sharing, the organization provides a platform that inspires more women to choose – and remain in – the tech industry. 

In times of uncertainty, it can be tempting to step back. Our partners are doing the opposite. They are choosing to stay, stand up, and take responsibility for how technology, skills, and opportunities are shaped going forward. That matters — not just for our members, but for the entire industry, says Åsa Johansen, Director, Women in Tech Sweden. 
 

The Women in Tech Conference 2026 will take place on April 22 at Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm, bringing together talent, entrepreneurs, and leaders to explore how we can navigate – and lead – the tides of technology. 

For more information about Women in Tech Sweden: 
www.womenintech.se 

What sets IT providers that truly create value apart from the rest of the market? In Radar’s Supplier Quality 2026 – Sweden’s largest quantitative study of customer-perceived quality and customer value in the IT market – HiQ is highlighted as one of the providers perceived to deliver strong operational, tactical and strategic value to its customers during 2025.

Radar’s annual supplier quality assessment is based on evaluations from more than 1,300 Swedish organizations. Within consulting services (regional/integrators), HiQ is one of five providers that, in no particular order, are perceived by customers as creating strong operational, tactical and strategic value throughout 2025.

“For us, this is a clear confirmation that the way we work closely with our customers makes a real difference in practice. Combining deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of our customers’ business goals and challenges is crucial to creating long-term value – especially in a more uncertain world,” says Peter Arrhenius, CEO of HiQ.

This year’s results indicate that customers are increasingly looking for providers that can act as proactive and reliable partners.

“Radar Supplier Quality 2026 shows that customers, despite uncertainty and lower satisfaction overall, reward providers that deliver strong fundamentals with high quality. This underlines the value of strong, proactive partnerships – and makes leading providers even more attractive compared to the market average,” says Janko Lind, CEO of Radar.

Radar Supplier Quality 2026 was published in January 2026 and is based on data collected during 2025. In addition to HiQ, Axians, Knowit, Nexer and Sopra Steria are highlighted by Radar in the same category, listed in alphabetical order.

Read more about the study and access the report at Radar.

How can the public sector accelerate digitalisation and create greater societal value, without getting stuck in silos and short-term projects? This is one of the key questions when HiQ takes part in Solutions for the Public Sector, Sweden’s leading meeting place for the public sector, where HiQ’s CEO Peter Arrhenius hosts a breakout session.

The digitalisation of the public sector is taking place in a context marked by increased security requirements, new regulation and a rapidly changing global landscape. At the same time, citizens expect public services to become more seamless, accessible and digital. Despite Sweden having a world-class private tech industry, public sector digitalisation continues to fall behind in comparisons – both within the Nordic region and internationally.

In the session From silos to collaboration – accelerating the pace of digital innovation in the public sector, Peter Arrhenius shares perspectives from more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of the public and private sectors. Drawing on current technology and geopolitical trends, as well as concrete structural challenges in Sweden’s public administration model, he highlights why collaboration, trust and long-term partnerships are essential to succeed with large-scale digitalisation.

The session combines analysis with dialogue and opens up discussions on how the public sector and industry can join forces to build robust, secure and future-ready digital public services.

📅 Date: 21 January, 4:15 PM
📍 Location: Kistamässan, room E3
🔗 Read more about the event here

We look forward to contributing to important conversations on how we can together increase the pace of public sector digitalisation and create real societal value. See you there?