The Australian Business Council of Scandinavia (ABCS) is a network of individuals and organisations who have professional interests in Scandinavia and Australia. The primary purpose of the ABCS is to nurture economic and social opportunities by fostering exchange through professional and networking activities.
Our members include representatives from corporations, commercial organisations, foundations, academia, government agencies, trade, not-for-profit and other local and international organisations with varied interests.
The ABCS currently Co-Chair of ABIE (Australian Business in Europe), an organisation with the objective of growing and strengthening the trade, investment, business and diplomatic ties between the two regions.
We warmly welcome new members to the network.
ABCS Board
JOHN TSIHLIS
Chair
John was one of the original founders of the Australian Business Council in 2016. He returned to the board recently to drive corporate relations and in 2025 was elected as Chair. John brings to the ABCS over two decades of international business development, sales, and commercial experience, in several industries including edtech, cleantech, defence tech, beverages and finance.
Originally from Sydney, John has lived in Stockholm for the past 25 years, and is a Senior Manager at BurnVoir Corporate Finance, a corporate finance and strategic consulting firm, and co-founder of Westberi, a Swedish company supporting the defence industry.
Zachary denman
Vice Chair, Treasurer and Governance of Finance
Zach joined the Board in 2026 focusing on finance and governance. He is a highly-skilled and experienced tax accountant with over 25 years in professional tax account and tax law, specialising in taxation compliance and advisory for international companies and individuals. Director at SwAussie Accounting, Zach is a registered Australian Tax Agent and CPA Public Practice Certified professional. He brings extensive expertise in cross-border taxation between Australia and Sweden. Recognised for achieving high distinctions with CPA in both Australian and International Taxation Advanced studies he is a leading professional in all things Sweden-Australia tax.
Lorena cid
board member
regional director, sweden
Lorena joined the Board in 2026 as the Regional Director for Sweden. Originally from Melbourne, Lorena is a senior business & transformation leader with over 25 years’ international consulting experience across Australia, the UK, Sweden and the Nordics. Expertise in digital transformation, operational excellence, and complex change and integration programs, with a strong track record of driving growth, building high-performing teams, and delivering sustainable business outcomes.
sarah coats chandler
board member
communications director
Sarah joined the board in 2025 focusing on communications. Originally from Adelaide, Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in communications, media relations, and content strategy in the UK, Ireland, and Sweden. Since moving to Sweden in 2015, she has focused on working with organisations and companies to communicate their strategies and impact within the green transition, including Sweden’s trade and invest council, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Institute. Sarah has her own consultancy, We Can Communications, working with ethical and sustainable brands and companies.
Maris Tebecis
BOARD MEMBER
regional director, denmark
Maris joined the Board in 2025 as part of the launch of our Denmark chapter and leads on engaging the Danish/Australian community. Maris has over 10 years’ experience as an Australian diplomat covering foreign policy, economic diplomacy, and multilateral affairs. He has had postings in Stockholm, Belgrade, Zagreb, and Copenhagen where he currently resides. As an experienced climate NGO leader with a focus on the corporate deployment of renewable energy, Maris brings a wealth of industry and business knowledge on geopolitics, climate politics and finance, and critical raw materials for the green transition.
sean williams
board member
member relations
Sean was an original founding board member of the Australian Business Council and returned to the board in 2019. He has held numerous positions including Chair and was elected as Treasurer in 2025. He leads the venturing group of ABCS, arranging several meetings each year on start-up and tech themes.
Sean is co-owner of Mundus International, which provides professional-level news and insights about Sweden. Prior to stepping out solo, Sean had a corporate career with BP and the NASDAQ. Sean hails from Adelaide and lived in a number of other global locations before moving to Sweden in 2009.