WALDEMAR SCHMIDT is probably best known as a former CEO of ISS-the Copenhagen-based facility services group that is amongst the ten largest corporate employers in the world.
During his long career at ISS, Waldemar held positions from Country manager in Brazil to CEO of the global group.
Since 2000, Waldemar Schmidt has pursued a new full-time career, holding a variety of positions, including chairmanships and directorships of global companies in six different countries. He is also a prolific writer and lecturer, and is an adjunct professor of strategy and service management at Copenhagen Business School.
Between 2001 and 2003, he was an executive-in-residence at IMD in Switzerland where he undertook a research project that resulted in the book, "Winning at Service." His second book, "Denmark Limited-Global by Design" explored the way in which Denmark became one of the world's most competitive nations. He is also co-author of "The Nørby Report"-a study commissioned by the Danish government to establish guidelines for good corporate governance in Denmark.
Whilst managing ISS's business in Brazil, he received the Export Oscar from the Danish Foreign Ministry. In 2000, the Queen of Denmark awarded Waldemar Schmidt the Order of the knight of Dannebrog and promoted him to Knight of Dannebrog 1st Degree in 2008. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the Polar Star by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.