After Tuesday’s Q1 report, quotes from Roger Akelius appeared in several business media outlets in which he demanded that Castellum immediately appoint former Akelius CEO Pål Ahlsén as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Akelius told Nyhetsbyrån Direkt on Wednesday that he had reached out to Castellum’s new Chair of the Board, Louise Richnau, “about a month ago” to discuss the CEO position. However, he stated that her “brief response” indicated a lack of interest in having any discussion, which prompted him to go public through the media. This was conveyed in an email sent to Nyhetsbyrån Direkt on Wednesday.

He reiterated his view that Castellum urgently needs new leadership.

“Anyone who has served in an executive role knows that a leader who has publicly announced their departure cannot effectively motivate staff or attract new clients. This is not intended as criticism of the current CEO,” he wrote, and continued:

“I am convinced that the majority of shareholders, along with myself, recognize the need for new leadership. It must be someone with experience from the real estate sector. A background as a consultant or managing a team of ten people is not sufficient.”

Speaking to the publication Affärsvärlden on Tuesday, Akelius expressed his desire to see Castellum divided into three separate entities. He cited Erik Paulsson and Backahill’s division of their commercial real estate company into three parts—a move Akelius described as a success.

To Nyhetsbyrån Direkt, he referenced another real estate company as a benchmark.

“Feel free to compare with Wihlborgs, which is managed professionally and with expertise. Wihlborgs holds similar assets to Castellum but is valued significantly higher—and rightfully so,” he stated.

On Wednesday, Akelius Apartments announced that it had increased its stake to over 15 percent of Castellum’s shares. Akelius also disclosed that he personally holds shares valued at “several hundred million” SEK.

“If the board considers me too small a shareholder, I can buy more shares to save Castellum,” he told Nyhetsbyrån Direkt.