Gustaf Delin (1930 - 2023)
– Founder

Gustaf Delin´s life, co-founder of the ForeSight Group, is a story of our times. About how the optimism of industrialism gradually changes to an insight about how we are transcending the limits of nature´s regenerative capacity.

In 1956, as a new graduate in law, Gustaf is recruited to the office of the Right-Wing Party in the Swedish Parliament. He becomes a personal assistant to the party leader, Jarl Hjalmarsson, as well as to his successor. Gustaf`s interest in questions about the future leads him to studies at the Brookings Institute in Washington DC. He writes books about the future of politics and the future of work. In the 80s, he collaborates closely with the futurist, John Naisbitt, author of the bestseller Megatrends, which forecasts the globalized knowledge and networking economy that we are now living in.

Gustaf leaves politics in 1979 and becomes a co-founder of The ForeSight Group. He and his colleagues create a concept that builds on intrapreneurship, i.e., innovation in large companies through internal entrepreneurs. This concept grows into a worldwide phenomenon through licencing to consultancy firms in 15 countries.

In midlife Gustaf is deeply influenced by his brother, Staffan, who is a scientist in biochemistry. He reevaluates the prevailing view on industrialism, with its focus on consumption and a promising material future. Gustaf now dedicates his life, some 30 years ahead of the mainstream, to try to explain how unlimited growth on a finite earth is not possible without breaking down the very ecosystem on which we are all dependent for our existence.

He often experiences sadness over how difficult it is to change the direction of society. But time catches up with him. He makes his last public appearance, only months before his passing away, at the Sigtuna Foundation, addressing today´s environmental scientists and activists, as well as a former managing director of Volvo and an Archbishop Emeritus.

Gustaf was richly gifted with a Socratic ability to listen, deep wisdom and a warm personality caring for others.