Nordic Person of the Year Award

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester was presented with the Nordic Person of the Year Award by Nick Archer, CoScan President, during an event hosted by the Anglo-Danish Society in London, at the Danish Ambassador’s Residence, on 19^th May 2026.

The award recognises Her Royal Highness, who is of Danish origin, for her unstinting work as patron to a large range of charitable organizations, with a strong focus on healthcare, music, education and disability support, as well as her role as Protector of the Anglo-Danish Society’s Scholarship Programme.

Photo credit: Gerald Sharp Photography

The Icelandic-born presenter, author and historian, Siddy Holloway, received the award  at a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Iceland, His Excellency Sturla Sigurjónsson, on 20 May 2025. The award recognises Siddy for her work as a broadcaster focusing on the hidden aspects of London’s history, her numerous publications, and her enthusiastic and impactful work in public engagement.  

Photo credit: Siren Talent Management

Dr Cat Jarman is a Norwegian-British bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist specialising in the Viking Age and Viking women. The award was presented by the Ambassador of Norway, His Excellency Tore Hattrem, and Nick Archer, President of CoScan at the Ambassador’s residence on 28 May 2024.

Photo: Marc Aitken

Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is an extraordinary advocate for music across the generations and was presented by the Ambassador of Iceland, His Excellency Sturla Sigurjónsson, and Alexander Malmaeus, Chairman of CoScan, during a concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 28 January 2023.

Photo: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Jo Nesbø wins the CoScan Nordic Person of the Year Award 2020. Presented by His Excellency, Ambassador Wegger Chr. Strømmen, the Norwegian Ambassador to the UK.

Photo: Thron Ullberg

Lisbet Rausing with the CoScan International Award 2019 with Mark Elliott, President, at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence.
© Chris Howell, CoScan

Sakari Oramo receiving the CoScan International Award 2018 from Mark Elliott, President and Eva Robards, Chairman at the BBC Symphony Orchestra concert at the Barbican
© Chris Howell, CoScan

Sandi Toksvig receiving the CoScan International Award 2017 from Mark Elliott, President and Eva Robards, Chairman at Southbank Centre’s WOW – Women of the World festival 2017

© Alice Boagey / Southbank Centre

Since July 2011, Magnus has been the highest-rated chess player in the world.

Tom Remlov, General Director of the Opera and Peter Wright, Vice President of CoScan

Arne Christer Fuglesang was the first Swedish citizen in space.

The Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) is an astronomical telescope, funded by Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

Hans Martin Blix is a Swedish diplomat and former head of the International Atomic Energy Authority.

Sven-Göran Eriksson, ‘Svennis’ is a Swedish football manager and former player. He went on to manage the national teams of England, Mexico and Ivory Coast.

Øresundsbro Konsortiet is a Danish-Swedish company, jointly owned by the Danish and Swedish states. It owns and runs the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden.

Mika Pauli Häkkinen, nicknamed ‘the Flying Finn’, has been ranked among the greatest Formula One drivers.

Stefan Bengt Edberg is a Swedish former world number one professional tennis player (in both singles and doubles).

Lillehammer, in Norway,  hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics.