Feta cheese and saffron buns are Aleks' favorites. Not together, of course, but each on its own. Our Greek Aleks has been part of the Hammarviken team for nearly 13 years, something we are incredibly grateful and happy for. He always has a smile on his face, an energy level that’s out of this world, and gives hugs like Bamse, the bear.

Aleks is everywhere, all the time, so when we managed to catch him during a quiet moment, we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Aleks, or just want to get to know him a bit better, we’re dedicating this post to him. We want to highlight Aleks, the fantastic person he is, and the important role he plays at Hammarviken.

Who is Aleks?

“My name is Aleksander, and I’ve worked here at Hammarviken since 2012. I’m originally from the beautiful Greece, specifically Corfu—a wonderful island everyone should visit at least once in their life. I’ve lived in Sweden since 2007, moving here for love, my Jennie. She worked at the same hotel as me in Corfu, and the rest is history,” Aleks says with a big laugh.

Today, Aleks lives just outside Gothenburg with his family, Jennie, and their two children, a son and a daughter. He loves trying new things and always says yes to the unfamiliar and uncertain. This same mindset helped him move from everything he knew to Sweden. “If it didn’t work out, the worst thing that could happen is I’d move back,” Aleks thought before relocating. And we at Hammarviken are so glad he chose to stay.

If Aleks gets to pick the music, it’s usually Greek, and he’s not afraid to sing along with his lovely voice. He recommends you listen to a Greek love song, one of his favorites. You can find it here.

A Star for Hammarviken

Many years ago, Aleks met Mats, the founder of Hammarviken Företagsutveckling. They bonded over their shared love for Greece, especially the paradise island of Mykonos. They connected well, and Aleks ended up joining Hammarviken with a focus on property management.

“My job is to look after the properties and make sure everything works as it should. Sometimes that’s just ensuring everything is tidy in and around the buildings, while other times it’s about fixing something that’s broken. My work is varied, and I have a good relationship with the tenants, which I appreciate. I get to meet a lot of people and be part of their daily lives, and I do my best to be a reliable support for them. I want them to feel that I’m here for them,” Aleks explains.

In addition, Aleks oversees safety and ventilation in all the properties. He performs inspections and maintains the properties’ condition. In his daily work, he collaborates closely with other members of Hammarviken’s property team: Michael, Helene, Roger, and Darsim.

What does a typical day look like for you?

“No two days are the same, and that’s what makes my job so fun. Every day brings new challenges. Some days are calm, while others are more hectic. I rarely control how my day looks, and no matter what comes up, I try to keep a smile on my face.”

“But to answer the question, I usually start my day at the office. I greet my colleagues, check my emails, and review what needs attention. Then I go out and inspect the properties, making sure everything is in order and greeting the tenants. Often, I’m invited for fika, which is nice,” Aleks admits with a smile. “I try to have lunch with my Hammarviken colleagues as often as I can,” he concludes.

Greece vs. Sweden

A big difference from Greece, we must admit, is the weather. Sweden doesn’t quite match up when it comes to hours of sunshine. Aleks misses the sun and warmth, and the positive impact it has on people. “The biggest difference here, compared to Greece, is definitely the sun and warmth. I didn’t really understand just how cloudy, rainy, and snowy it was until I moved here, but back then, I was too in love to notice, haha.”

Another surprise for Aleks in Sweden was how difficult it can be to get to know new people. He finds it challenging to make new friends and feels that few people dare to open up. He mentions that it’s much easier in Greece, where meeting new people at the local café or on the bus is common.

Three Final Questions for Aleks

We’ve heard you’re crazy about saffron buns. What’s your record for one day, Aleks?

“I’m probably in denial about how many buns I eat during the winter, but my record is around 15 in one day,” Aleks says with a slight blush. “But it’s not just saffron buns—I’m also a pretty good cook and love grilling souvlaki or whipping up a nice pasta with shrimp.” We know this is true because at Hammarviken, we have a tradition of hosting a Greek evening every year with our two Greeks, Aleks and Anton, serving delicious Greek food and other Greek traditions, like the Zorba dance.

Tell us something you noticed when you moved to Sweden!

“It’s so quiet on the roads here when driving. In Greece, we honk a lot. We have different honks for different occasions, like two quick honks to greet someone in traffic. In Sweden, people rarely honk.”

If your colleagues had to describe you in three words, what would they say?

“I think they’d say I’m friendly and helpful. And funny—I am pretty fun to be around.”