Reidar Gjærum (44) has been appointed new executive vice president for communication and joins the corporate executive committee of Statoil ASA (OSE: STL, NYSE: STO).
Mr Gjærum comes from the position of executive vice president for communications and marketing in the listed company EDB Business Partner.
He has broad communication experience from various positions in Norwegian business and organisations.
His background is in journalism and various positions as political adviser. He has also been communications director in the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO), director of external communications at Telenor and managing director of the JKL Woldsdal consultancy. Since 2003, he has been in the top management of IT company EDB Business Partner.
"Our ability to communicate with external interests and our employees in a trusting and professional manner is critical in the work to strengthen Statoil as an internationally competitive company," says chief executive Helge Lund.
"Reidar Gjærum is one of Norway's most experienced people in the field of communication. In addition, he has broad leadership experience, and I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to become part of Statoil's corporate executive committee."
"Statoil is arguably Norway's most exciting company," says Mr Gjærum. "With its size and position in Norway and internationally, Statoil faces big responsibilities and challenges in its communication. The group has a strong focus on the use of communication and active reputation-building to strengthen its business position. It is a major challenge for me to continue this work, together with Statoil's proficient public affairs staff."
Contact persons:
Wenche Skorge, vice president, public affairs: +47 91 87 07 41 (mobile), +47 51 99 79 17 (office)
Mari Thjømøe, senior vice president, investor relations: +47 90 77 78 24 (mobile), +47 51 99 77 90 (office)