Svein Aaser served as the chief executive officer of DnB NOR, overseeing the operations of the largest financial services institution in Norway. His tenure as the head of the merged financial group concluded on 31 December 2006, marking a significant transition in his professional career following years of leadership across several prominent Nordic industrial and banking organizations.
Early Education and Career Beginnings
Born in 1946 in Fredrikstad Municipality, Aaser pursued formal business education at the Norwegian School of Economics, graduating with an MBA in 1970. He later augmented his management training by completing the Program for Executive Development at the Swiss IMD Business School in 1976. His initial professional trajectory included roles as an assistant to the deputy managing director for Tank Nielsen at M. Peterson & Søn in Moss. He subsequently moved into marketing management at Sarpsborg Papp and held managing director positions at NORA matprodukter and Storebrand Skade.
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In 1987, Aaser assumed the role of president and CEO at Hafslund Nycomed, a position he held for a decade. During his tenure, the company underwent a corporate rebranding following the acquisition of Nycomed. His industrial responsibilities expanded as he took on the role of deputy CEO and chief executive officer at the subsidiary Imaging Nycomed Amersham. These roles established his reputation for managing large-scale corporate entities and navigating complex organizational shifts within the Norwegian market.
Banking and Board Appointments
Aaser was appointed CEO of Den norske Bank in 1998, which later merged to become DnB NOR. Upon departing the banking sector in late 2006, he pivoted toward various board leadership positions. He served as chairman for Marine Harvest until January 2010 and held the position of chairman of the board at Telenor between 2012 and 2015. Additionally, he has chaired Statkraft and the National Gallery of Norway, the latter of which he joined as board chair in 2008. He also took on the role of chair for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Fredrikstad Municipality, Norway
- Education: Norwegian School of Economics (MBA, 1970)
- Professional Education: IMD Business School (1976)
- Former CEO: DnB NOR
- Board Chairmanships: Telenor, Marine Harvest, Statkraft, National Gallery of Norway
- Resignation from DnB NOR: 31 December 2006
Questions readers ask
What financial institution did Svein Aaser lead?
He served as the CEO of Den norske Bank, which subsequently merged to become DnB NOR.
Which major telecommunications company did he chair?
Aaser was the chairman of the board of Telenor from 2012 to 2015.
Achievements
- Educated at Norwegian School of Economics
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