Helge Lund becomes board member at Aars
Helge Lund has experience as a senior executive and chairman of the board at some of the largest companies in Norway, Europe, and globally. He is now joining the board of Aars.
Background and experience Helge Lund:
CEO of Aker Kværner (2002-2004)
CEO of Statoil (2004–2014)
CEO of BG Group (2015-2016)
Chairman of BP (2019-2025)
Chairman of Novo Nordisk (2018-2025)
Operating Advisor, Clayton Dubilier & Rice (2016-)
Board member of Belron Group (2018-)
Board member of Nokia (2011-2014) and Schlumberger (2016-2018)
Previous roles include various management positions at Hafslund Nycomed, Nycomed Pharma, and Aker RGI. Political advisor to the Conservative Party's parliamentary group.
"I have been following Aars for some time, and it has been inspiring to see what the family has built up together with thousands of employees over many decades. Aars works systematically to strengthen competitiveness, combined with a strong desire to make a positive contribution to society. Over the past 90 years, the family has demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt. I look forward to contributing to the further development of Aars as a member of the Aars board, says Helge Lund (63).
Helge Lund is one of Norway's most prominent business leaders. In all the positions he has held, transformation and change have been at the top of the agenda: He was CEO of the then Statoil when the company merged with Hydro's oil and gas business. He was chairman of BP, one of the world's largest integrated oil and gas companies, during a period of major restructuring driven by climate challenges. He was also chairman of the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk when it launched a new and innovative weight loss drug and became one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. Now he is joining the board of Aars.
New growth phase
"I am incredibly pleased to welcome Helge Lund as a board member of Aars. Lund has unique experience in change management, crisis management, and technology insight from several industries. Over the past year, Aars has spent time positioning itself for the next growth phase with a new strategy. We want to grow through active ownership that contributes to value creation for us, while also creating positive development for both society and individuals. Now, together with a highly competent board, we will ensure that this is realized," says owner and chairman Øyvind Schage Førde.
Aars currently owns a diversified portfolio in various industries and employs around 9,000 people in eight countries. The company had a turnover of NOK 48 billion in 2024.
Insight from the board is important
"Our ambition is to build a robust and forward-looking business with multiple pillars. At the same time, we are navigating a landscape characterized by increased geopolitical tension and new global rules. This requires us to continuously strengthen our insight, understand the changes around us, and make clear strategic choices. In this work, our external board members are an important resource, with strategic perspectives and broad experience that strengthen the quality of our decisions, says Schage Førde.
The current board consists of both owner representatives and external board members, and is chaired by Øyvind Schage Førde. The external board members are John Giverholt (former CEO and CFO of Ferd AS), Mie Caroline Holstad (former director of real estate and infrastructure investments at NBIM/the Norwegian Oil Fund) and Tine Wollebekk (former head of Bank Norwegian and Avida Finans).
Helge Lund replaces Alexander Woxen on the board. Woxen is taking on a newly created role in the management of Aars to strengthen the ownership's capacity in strategy and business development.
