Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, head of the maritime division at DNA (Det Norske Veritas), will temporarily assume the role of President and CEO of DNV, taking overall responsibility for all business areas of the classification society.
The reason for this leadership transition is that Remi Eriksen, who has long served as CEO of DNV, has been diagnosed with cancer and will take a seven-month leave of absence to undergo treatment and recuperate.
Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen stated: “With the utmost respect and humility, I will serve as acting CEO during Remi Eriksen’s leave of absence. DNV’s strategic direction and commitments remain unchanged, and we will continue to provide uninterrupted service to our customers and partners.”
It is reported that Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen has served at DNA for over a decade. He joined DNV in 2010, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for the Norwegian domestic market. Like Remi Eriksen, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen rose through the ranks of DNV’s core maritime division, and has served as CEO of the maritime division since 2015.
Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen is a regular presence at various professional forums and industry conferences in the maritime sector, frequently appearing in maritime industry media.
Remi Eriksen, who is currently on medical leave, has served at DNA for 33 years, having joined the company as a project engineer in 1993. In 2015, Remi Eriksen was appointed President and CEO of DNA, while Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen assumed the top management position in the maritime division that same year.
In addition to his role at DNA, Remi Eriksen serves as Chairman of the Board at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), a globally renowned center of excellence in maritime research.
Under Remi Eriksen’s leadership, DNA continues to expand its business footprint. Recently, DNA announced the completion of its acquisition of Brazilian technology company Automa Power & Utilities SA, which specializes in monitoring and control systems for power plants and transmission infrastructure. This acquisition adds approximately 300 technical professionals to DNA’s workforce.
Fredrik Baksaas, Chairman of the Board of DNA, stated in a declaration: “We extend our most sincere wishes to Remi Eriksen, hoping he maintains resilience and perseverance for a swift recovery. We look forward to his return to work once he has fully recovered.”