New chief executive for Norsk Tipping

The Board of Norsk Tipping has appointed Åsne Havnelid (55) as the new CEO of the company and replacement for former chief executive Torbjørn Almlid.

Havnelid was previously Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross, which receives substantial funding from Norsk Tipping.

Norsk Tipping chair Linda Bernander Silseth said in a statement announcing the appointment:

“I am very proud and pleased to present Åsne Havnelid as the new CEO of Norsk Tipping. She has a broad background and extensive experience from central positions within business, sports and the humanitarian sector, and I am confident that she will uphold the strong position of Norsk Tipping both as a gaming company and an important part of Norwegian society.”

Prior to taking the helm at the Norwegian Red Cross in 2011, Havnelid held several leading positions in Norwegian sports and businesses, amongst them posts as CEO of the Nordic Ski World Championship in 2011; Deputy Head of Olympiatoppen and executive positions within Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

“Her extensive experience and knowledge will be crucial in the task of bringing Norsk Tipping into a new and challenging era,” said Silseth.

Havnelid said that she looked forward to developing and offering attractive games within a framework of responsible gaming at Norsk Tipping, an organisation that is a vital contributor to Norwegian society.

She emphasised that the task will be challenging in an era of rapid digitalisation, new technological developments, new customer expectations and increased competition within the industry.

Havnelid will take up her responsibilities this autumn.