Ulla-Britt Fräjdin-Hellqvist named Norway’s Chair of the Year 2014

Ulla-Britt Fräjdin-Hellqvist was today named Norway’s Chair of the Year 2014 for her role and efforts as chairwoman of the board of Kongsberg Automotive ASA for the past five years.

The prestigious award recognizes Chairpersons from Nordic companies with good financial results, good leadership of the board, strong business ethics and an environmental profile.

Ulla-Britt Fräjdin-Hellqvist is a graduate in Master of Science in Engineering Physics, has 35 years of experience in the automotive industry and 22 years experience of board work in private, public and governmental corporations, foundations and non-profit organizations. She joined the board of Kongsberg Automotive ASA in 2007 and was elected Chairwoman in 2010.

“Ulla-Britt is an accomplished Chairwoman with broad experience, deep market insight and a good strategic outlook. Her inclusive, open and solution-oriented approach ensures that shareholder and company's interests are represented and maintained in an excellent manner. Ulla-Britt has helped to take bold and correct steps that have strengthened Kongsberg Automotive through a challenging period. The company has had a positive development and is now in a better position to meet future challenges, said Hans Peter Havdal,” CEO Kongsberg Automotive.

Maintaining order and focus in a tough industry

According to the Jury of the Chair of the Year prize for 2014, Ulla-Britt maintains good order, demonstrates good business strategic understanding, is creative and always tries to help with ideas. The chairwoman can be determined and resolute, but at the same time listening and humble. She knows the vehicle industry well and looks for opportunities in new trends and challenges. She always has the best interests of the company in mind and knows what it takes to achieve success.

“This award is a great recognition of the good work we are doing at Kongsberg Automotive”, said Ulla-Britt Fräjdin-Hellqvist. ”I am both proud and delighted to receive this award for KA and it inspires us to continue our efforts ahead. We can never take anything for granted in the automotive industry. Competition is fierce and we are working diligently to continuously improve”.

Ulla-Britt Fräjdin-Hellqvist noted that Kongsberg Automotive is a dynamic company which through a distinct corporate culture and over 50 years of experience has evolved from a small Scandinavian producer to become a global provider of world-class products to the automotive industry.

The prize is a sculpture by Marian Heyerdahl and was awarded in connection with the annual Chair of the Year event in Oslo on 15 January.KA Pressemelding Årets Styreleder 2014 NO

This year’s Chair of the Year jury comprised:

• Kjetil Hardeng, Partner Advokatfirmaet Haavind, head of corporate, managing partner
• Erik Thorsen, Eltek ASA, Chair of the Year 2013 – (winner sits in the jury for 1 year)
• Siri Hatlen, CoB Entra Eiendom ASA, Sevan Marine ASA, board member Kitron ASA, Norske Skogindustrier ASA
• Kristin Krohn Devold, chairwoman NHO Reiseliv, board member Aker ASA, Eika Gruppen AS og Aker Kværner Holding AS
• Olav H Selvaag, CoB Selvaag bolig ASA, Selvaag Prosjekt og Vedlikehold AS & Ogs Holding AS
• Kathrine Aspaas Economist with 23 years experience as a financial journalist at Aftenposten.
• Anders Misund, CEO EQT Norge, 20 board memberships, new CoB Norsk Venturekapital Forening