An advisory group was established by the Swedish government in October 2007. The group was given the task of advising on and reviewing the ESS Scandinavia secretariat’s activities in planning for the construction of ESS in Lund. The group’s members comprised representatives for science, politics, industry and trade. The Chairman was Lund University’s then Rektor, Göran Bexell.

The membership of ESS Scandinavia’s advisory group (2007 - 2009):

• Göran Bexell, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University, Professor of ethics
• Lars Börjesson, Secretary General of the Committee for Research Infrastructures of the Swedish Research Council, Professor of Physics at Chalmers University of Technology
• Henning Christophersen, Chairman of Örestad Development, former Minister for Finance in Denmark, former Vice President of the European Commission.
• Lena Gustafsson, Dept. Director General of Vinnova, Professor of Microbiology at Chalmers University of Technology
• Hasse Johansson, Head of Research and Development of Saab-Scania
• Pia Kinhult, member of Region Skåne’s Regional Council and its Board
• Barbro Åsman, member of the Swedish Government’s Advisory Board on Research 2006-2007, Professor of Particle Physics at Stockholm University

As of January 2009, the Swedish government handed responsibility for ESSS to Lund University and a Board was set up, chaired by the incoming LU Rektor, Per Eriksson, and answerable to Lund University's Council.