The conclusion of Gunilla Almgren’s 13-year term as President of Small Business Standards (SBS) marks the end of a truly remarkable era of service. This December, she concluded her term as President, handing over leadership to her successor at the final Board and General Assembly of the year. Her commitment has been nothing short of extraordinary, having guided SBS from its very inception to its current standing as the voice for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in European standardisation.
In recognition of her profound contributions, the Board took the decision to name her Honorary President of SBS.
Gunilla Almgren is fundamentally a dedicated entrepreneur. It was this deep, personal understanding of the daily challenges and opportunities facing small business owners that formed the bedrock of her presidency.
Gunilla Almgren was instrumental in the creation of Small Business Standards (SBS) in 2013. Following the dissolution of NORMAPME, Gunilla Almgren stepped forward. At the time, she was at the head of SMEunited and readily assumed the oversight of both SMEunited and SBS, overseeing the establishment and initial growth of SBS. She then served as President of SBS until 2025.
Under her direction, SBS has successfully championed the interests of millions of SMEs across Europe, ensuring their perspective is fully considered in the process of developing European standards.
Her leadership was defined by a simple yet powerful directive: “Put yourself in the shoes of the entrepreneur.” This was more than a mere phrase; it was a fundamental, core value that grounded every decision and strategic direction of the organisation. Time and again, Gunilla steered the organisation to look at policy and standardisation challenges through the eyes of the people living them every day, solidifying SBS’s role as the genuine voice of SMEs in standardisation across Europe.
For over a decade, Gunilla Almgren dedicated her energy, insight, and passion to the service of the wider SME community. Her tireless efforts have ensured that the structure and mandate of SBS are perfectly aligned with supporting the competitiveness and innovation potential of small businesses in the European single market.
While the organisation will profoundly miss her presence and her motivating energy, SBS celebrates her decision to now turn her full focus back to her own entrepreneurial endeavours. We know that her passion for SMEs and her entrepreneurial spirit will continue to make an impact wherever she goes.
Small Business Standards extends its deep gratitude and warmest wishes to Gunilla Almgren for her 13 years of exceptional leadership and commitment. Her vision has indelibly shaped the organisation, and the entire European standardisation community has benefited from her fierce advocacy. As SBS moves into its next chapter, it will continue to build upon the strong foundation laid by its founding President, ensuring that the needs of SMEs remain at the forefront of the European standardisation system.