Carl Hagman is by training a maritime lawyer. After having served in the Swedish Navy as an anti-submarine warfare officer he has been the CEO of Wallenius Lines in Sweden, Eukor Car Carriers in Korea, Hoegh Autoliners in Norway and has headed up the shipping activities of the Stena AB group in Gothenburg, Sweden. 

Since 2023 he is the regional head for the NYK group in Europe, based in London.  He has been the Korean honorary consul general in Gothenburg and is the recipient of the Korea medal for Industrial merit.  He is a fellow of the Royal Swedish Maritime Academy and the Royal Academy of War sciences.