Team

Alex supports wind turbine generation (WTG) matters for project development across all phases and markets in Vårgrønn.

Working in offshore wind since 2009, Alex has been involved in the development and execution of a number of offshore windfarm projects. Prior to joining Vårgrønn. Alex held the position of Project Manager and WTG Package Manager for Marubeni on the Akita Noshiro Offshore Windfarm in Japan.

Alex holds a BSc Hons degree in Quantity Surveying and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Alex Low
WTG Package Manager
Alex supports wind turbine generation (WTG) matters for project development across all phases and markets in Vårgrønn.
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Andreas works in the Offshore Wind Development team in Vårgrønn. As a Project Manager he manages project development activities across all phases of offshore wind projects.  

Before joining Vårgrønn in May 2023, Andreas worked as Senior Offshore Engineer at EniProgetti, working across project- and business development for Eni’s offshore wind ventures. Previously, he worked as Offshore Engineer at Rambøll, designing offshore wind foundations from conceptual to construction phases.  

Andreas holds an MSc in Advanced Structural Engineering from Imperial College London, a BSc in Civil Engineering from Cyprus University of Technology and a BSc in Physics from the University of Cyprus. Andreas is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in the UK.

Based in London, Andreas speaks Greek and English.

Andreas Karasavvas
Project Manager
Andreas works in the Offshore Wind Development team in Vårgrønn. As a Project Manager he manages project development activities across all phases of offshore wind projects.
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Arlen provides market analysis that supports across all phases of project development.

Before joining Vårgrønn in May 2023, Arlen worked as Senior Associate in the Market Intelligence team at the Renewables Consulting Group. At the Renewables Consulting Group Arlen supported clients with project development, go-to-market strategy, technical advisory and site acquisition bids across global markets.

Arlen holds an MEng degree in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford.
 
Based in London, Arlen speaks English.

Arlen McCausland
Senior Market Analyst
Arlen provides market analysis that supports across all phases of project development.
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Beate leads the communications work at Vårgrønn, working across events, media, digital content, branding and internal communications.

Before joining Vårgrønn in November 2022, Beate worked as Content Lead at the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Global Canopy. Previously, she has worked as senior policy analyst at the Climate Bonds Initiative, in the climate change research team at HSBC, for the consultancy Xynteo and as a freelance writer.

Beate holds an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London and a BSc in Economics and International Development from the University of Bath.

Based in Oslo, Beate speaks English and Norwegian.

Beate Triantafilidis
Senior Communications Advisor
Beate leads the communications work at Vårgrønn, working across events, media, digital content, branding and internal communications.
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Bjørn supports project development activities across all phases and markets in Vårgrønn.

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, Bjørn worked as a Technical Asset Manager within offshore wind in Equinor. He has more than 15 years’ experience from development and construction of both offshore wind and oil and gas projects across Equinor and Technip.

Bjørn holds an MSc in Marine Cybernetics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Based in Oslo, Bjørn speaks English and Norwegian.

Bjørn Johansen
Engineering Manager
Bjørn supports project development activities across all phases and markets in Vårgrønn.
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Bjørnar is Project Director for our Southern North Sea II project, which we are developing in partnership with Å Energi and Corio Generation as the Brigg Vind consortium. Bjørnar has more than 20 years' project management experience, including 12 years’ experience as Project Director for large offshore projects.

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, Bjørnar was Project Director and Manager at Equinor, where since 2014 he worked on offshore wind developments, including several early-phase projects such as Hywind Tampen and Dogger Bank, where he was Project Director, and Firefly, where he was Project Manager.

Bjørnar holds a BSc in Civil Engineering from Heriot Watt University in Scotland.

Based in Oslo, Bjørnar speaks Norwegian and English.

Bjørnar Talset
Vice President Offshore Wind
Bjørnar is Project Director for our Southern North Sea II project, which we are developing in partnership with Å Energi and Corio Generation as the Brigg Vind consortium.
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Charlotte leads on the Electrical System Design(ESI) across Vårgrønn’s project portfolio.

Before joining Vårgrønn in June 2023, Charlotte worked 10 years in Equinor as lead of the electrical system infrastructure(ESI) in both power from shore to oil and gas platforms and in offshore wind projects. 

Charlotte holds an MSc in Sociotechnical Systems Engineering from Uppsala University, where she majored in electrical power systems.

Based in Stavanger, Charlotte speaks English, Norwegian and Swedish.

Charlotte Elmelid
Leading Electrical Engineer
Charlotte leads on the Electrical System Design(ESI) across Vårgrønn’s project portfolio.
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Chris is working in the Transmission Operations Team on the Dogger Bank Windfarm based at the Port of Tyne and is responsible for daily operation, maintenance & fault response on all electrical transmission assets both on-shore & off-shore.

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2024, Chris worked as a Substation Engineer at National Grid Electricity Transmission. Previously, he worked as a Process Support Engineer at National Grid Grain LNG.

Chris holds an BEng(Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from The University of Sunderland.

Based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Chris speaks English.

Chris Harvey
Senior O&M Engineer
Chris is working in the Transmission Operations Team on the Dogger Bank Windfarm based at the Port of Tyne and is responsible for daily operation, maintenance & fault response on all electrical transmission assets both on-shore & off-shore.
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Chris is responsible for building a pipeline of projects towards our goal of having 5GW of offshore wind under construction or operations by 2030. Chris has spent over 25 years working across a wide range of senior management roles within offshore wind.

Before joining Vårgrønn, Chris worked as a Director and member of the Executive Management Team at the ORE Catapult, as Chief Operating Officer at Mainstream Renewable Power responsible for the offshore wind team, developing over 5GW of projects and Project Director at Airtricity developing the Greater Gabbard project. Chris has acted as an adviser to the Dutch Government on technological innovation in offshore wind and sat on a number of leading industry bodies, including the Offshore Wind Industry Council.  Chris has served as a Non-Executive Director of Renewable UK, where he Chaired the Finance Committee and is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Chris holds a Masters Degree in Forest Management from Aberdeen University and a Bachelors Degree in Geography from Leicester University.

Based in Scotland and London, Chris speaks English.

Chris Hill
UK Managing Director & SVP Business Development
Chris is responsible for building a pipeline of projects towards our goal of having 5GW of offshore wind under construction or operations by 2030.
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Christer leads the Offshore Wind Development team in Vårgrønn and is responsible for project development and construction.

Before joining Vårgrønn in July 2021, Christer was President of Equinor US Wind, leading the build-up of Equinor's successful offshore wind business in the US, including 3.2 GW of secured Contracts for Difference with New York state for the Beacon and Empire Wind projects, with additional lease areas secured offshore Massachusetts. While holding the position in the US, he was also part of the management team responsible for all offshore wind projects in Equinor, including Dogger bank, Baltyk I and II, Hywind Tampen and floating South Korea. During his 14 years in Equinor, Christer held various leadership positions within project and business development, as well as asset management. Before joining Equinor, Christer was Assistant Director General at the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

Christer holds an MSc in Economics from the University of Oslo.

Based in Oslo, Christer speaks Norwegian and English.

Christer Af Geijerstam
SVP Offshore Wind
Christer leads the Offshore Wind Development team in Vårgrønn and is responsible for project development and construction.
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Christian leads Finance, Risk and Legal activities of the Group with a specific focus on business and strategic plans, risk and portfolio management, reporting, treasury, fiscal and compliance areas. Christian also holds Chairman and Board of Director roles in various companies within the Group.

Before his transition to Norway in July 2021, Christian spent most of his 20+ international career within the oil and gas trading business of Eni Group, primarily as CFO of Eni Trading and Shipping Inc based in Houston, Texas, and of its subsidiary in Mexico. Previously, he had various roles within Eni Trading and Shipping SpA based in Italy with offices in London, Brussels and Singapore. Christian has also been the CFO of Tecnomare SpA, an engineering service company providing on-shore and off-shore services within the upstream business. His career with Eni started in 2003 when he joined the Technical Advisory Team, becoming an IFRS and US GAAP subject expert.

He has a Master degree in Accounting and a Bachelor Degree in Economics and Financial Institutions from the University Tor Vergata in Italy.

Based in Oslo, Christian speaks English, Italian, French and has a basic knowledge of Spanish and Norwegian.

Christian De Santis
Chief Financial Officer
Christian leads Finance, Risk and Legal activities of the Group with a specific focus on business and strategic plans, risk and portfolio management, reporting, treasury, fiscal and compliance areas.
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David is responsible for securing offshore wind leases and seabed development rights for future projects at Vårgrønn.

Before joining Vårgrønn in May 2023, David worked as an Engineering Manager at EniProgetti. Initially as a process engineer on onshore, upstream, oil and gas facilities and more recently supporting Eni in participating in Offshore Wind leasing processes.

David holds a dual-award, MEng in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Sheffield.

Based in London, David speaks English.

David Firmin
Proposals Manager
David is responsible for securing offshore wind leases and seabed development rights for future projects at Vårgrønn.
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Erik oversees Vårgrønn’s work on Market Analysis, Public Affairs and Communications. Erik has 25 years’ experience with energy markets and business development.

Before joining Vårgrønn in May 2021, Erik was leading DNV Energy Advisory in Nordics & Baltics, spanning consulting across renewables, power systems and offshore wind. At the same time, he was DNV’s Global Service Line Leader for energy markets and technology and co-author of the annual flagship report Energy Transition Outlook. Prior to DNV, Erik was Deputy Director General in the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, leading the energy market analysis team and representing Norway in International Energy Agency (IEA). He also worked 5 years in Equinor across renewables and offshore wind business development, including as project manager for the joint Equinor and Statkraft lease application for Sheringham Shoal Extension and lead on potential commercialisation of Hywind FOW concept. Before this he worked seven years on power markets and regulatory economics in Econ Analysis that later became part of AFRY. He started his career in Friends of the Earth Norway as project manager for the «The trade union’s environmental responsibility» on green transition.

Erik holds an MSc in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BSc in Economics and Political Sciences from the University of Oslo. He has additional education in project management from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and in digital transformation from INSEAD.

Based in Oslo, Erik speaks Norwegian, English and Indonesian.

Erik Dugstad
SVP Market Analysis & Public Affairs
Erik oversees Vårgrønn’s work on Market Analysis, Public Affairs and Communications. Erik has 25 years’ experience with energy markets and business development.
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Fredrik is responsible for development and project management of offshore wind projects in Vårgrønn.
 
Before joining Vårgrønn, Fredrik worked with offshore wind project development at Aker Offshore Wind and as Project Manager within Project Development Energy Projects in Norsk Hydro. Prior to that, Fredrik worked on Engineering Electrical Power Systems in AFRY Consulting.

Fredrik holds an MSc in Renewable Energy and Electrical Power Systems from Umeå University, and he has also studied economics and business administration at the Gothenburg School of Business, Economics, and Law.

Based in Oslo, Fredrik speaks Swedish and English.

Fredrik Kühn
Project Manager, Offshore Wind
Fredrik is responsible for development and project management of offshore wind projects in Vårgrønn.
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Frida works in the project team in Vårgrønn. As a Technical Manager in projects, she is responsible for the development of strategies and maturation of technical deliverables.

Before joining Vårgrønn in February 2022, Frida worked as an engineering manager for Aibel for more than 16 years.

Frida holds an MSc in Energy and Environmental engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Based in Stavanger, Frida speaks Norwegian and English.

Frida Rugstad Knudsen
Senior Advisor Project Management
Frida works in the project team in Vårgrønn. As a Technical Manager in projects, she is responsible for the development of strategies and maturation of technical deliverables.
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Gudmund works as Market Analysis Manager at Vårgrønn.
Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, Gudmund worked as a senior consultant and team lead for the Nordic energy markets and strategy team at DNV. Previously, he worked as a senior advisor and power market analyst at The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate.

Gudmund holds an MSc in Economics from The University of Oslo.

Based in Oslo, Gudmund speaks English and Norwegian.

Gudmund Bartnes
Market Analysis Manager
Gudmund works as Market Analysis Manager at Vårgrønn.
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Helene is part of the CFO–department at Vårgrønn and will help establish and monitor project budgets, facilitate financial documentation and reporting.  

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2024, Helene worked as a corporate accountant at Aker BP ASA for five years.

Helene holds an MSc in Economics from the University of Stavanger. 

Based in Stavanger, Helene speaks English and Norwegian.

Helene Larsen Gilje
Accountant
Helene is part of the CFO–department at Vårgrønn and will help establish and monitor project budgets, facilitate financial documentation and reporting.
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Helga works with public affairs and stakeholder and government engagement at Vårgrønn, including for our projects at Southern North Sea II and Utsira North. She also oversees our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, Helga worked at Deloitte as Public Risk and Sustainability Manager. Previously, she worked for the Fridtjof Nansen Institute as a researcher and at the think tank Agenda as Climate and Energy Advisor. She also has experience as a journalist from local and national media. Furthermore, Helga spent one year at the Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a trainee and project officer.

Helga holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Oslo, as well as a Bachelor's degree in European studies with specialisation in French language, also from the University of Oslo. Based in Oslo, Helga speaks Norwegian and English, and intermediate French.

Helga Rognstad
Senior Advisor Public Affairs
Helga works with public affairs and stakeholder and government engagement at Vårgrønn, including for our projects at Southern North Sea II and Utsira North.
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Hugo is an M&A Manager in the Business Development team at Vårgrønn, responsible for execution across Vårgrønn’s transaction pipeline and supporting the origination of new growth initiatives.

Before joining Vårgrønn in April 2023, Hugo worked at a climate-tech startup. Previously, he spent seven years in the Energy Investment Banking team at Jefferies and a year in Strategy Execution at NEO Energy.

Hugo holds a BA in History from the University of Oxford.

Based in London, Hugo speaks English and intermediate French.

Hugo Fearon
M&A Manager
Hugo is an M&A Manager in the Business Development team at Vårgrønn, responsible for execution across Vårgrønn’s transaction pipeline and supporting the origination of new growth initiatives.
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Håvar works as Consent Manager in Vårgrønn, working on several offshore projects both in Norway and UK.

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, he was consulting on offshore wind power projects working as Team Lead at Rambøll Norway’s department on impact assessments. After many years of working for the Norwegian energy and environmental authorities, Håvar has considerable expertise on public processes and administration on wind power, power lines, and offshore installations, including broad experience with permitting and stakeholder engagement.

Håvar holds an MSc in Ecology from Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Based in Oslo, Håvar speaks both English and Norwegian.

Håvar Røstad
Consent Manager
Håvar works as Consent Manager in Vårgrønn, working on several offshore projects both in Norway and UK.
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Joakim works on financial modelling and analysis at Vårgrønn, working across business planning, financing, project economics and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2023, Joakim worked in corporate finance at Noreco where he spent the last six years.

Joakim holds a BSc in Business and Economics from BI Norwegian Business School.

Based in Oslo, Joakim speaks Norwegian and English.

Joakim Adeola Helgesen
Senior Business Analyst
Joakim works on financial modelling and analysis at Vårgrønn, working across business planning, financing, project economics and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
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Karoline provides administrative support and coordination to ensure smooth operation of the office and enhance the efficiency of daily operations within the organisation.


Before joining Vårgrønn in February 2024, Karoline worked as an HR Associate at the staffing and recruitment company Jobzone.


Karoline holds a Bachelor of Marketing Management with a specialisation in Digital Marketing from BI in Bergen.


Based in Oslo, Karoline speaks Norwegian and English.

Karoline Vogt Hannestad
Office Administrator
Karoline provides administrative support and coordination to ensure smooth operation of the office and enhance the efficiency of daily operations within the organisation.
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Kjersti is responsible for ensuring that Vårgrønn complies with government regulations and that employees are following internal compliance policies and provide regular reports on the effectiveness of the business’s compliance measures. Kjersti also works on Governance and Risk.

Before joining Vårgrønn in 2022, Kjersti worked 14 years in Vår Energi/Eni Norge- with experience from internal audit, engineering, production, finance and Vår Energi board of directors. She has studied and worked several years in Germany and Italy.

Kjersti holds an EMBA from the University in Stavanger, a BSc in Economics & Marketing from BI and a BSc in Italian language.

Based in Stavanger, Kjersti speaks fluently Norwegian, English, Italian, German and basic French.

Kjersti Selvik Kristensen
Compliance Officer
Kjersti is responsible for ensuring that Vårgrønn complies with government regulations and that employees are following internal compliance policies.
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Kristian manages business planning and financing in Vårgrønn.

Before joining Vårgrønn in May 2021, Kristian worked in Equinor, most recently as a Structured Finance Analyst working with project financing of offshore wind projects in Europe. Prior to that that he worked as a Drilling and Well analyst.

Kristian holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and a BSc in Business Administration from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where he also studied psychology. 

Based in Oslo, Kristian speaks Norwegian and English.

Kristian Solberg
Strategic & Financing Manager
Kristian manages business planning and financing in Vårgrønn.
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Leini is responsible for Vårgrønn’s public affairs and stakeholder management in the UK and Ireland.

Before joining Vårgrønn in September 2023, Leini worked as Senior Policy Advisor for the Royal Society, the world's oldest independent scientific academy, where she provided science-based advice on complex environmental issues . Previously, she worked as Attaché for the Luxembourgish Government during its Presidency of the EU Council where she was part of the EU delegations in charge of negotiating the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Leini holds a dual MSc in Environmental Science and Policy from Sciences Po Paris and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, as well as a BSc in Biological Sciences from the Université Paris Cité.

Based in London, Leini speaks English, French, German, Luxemburgish, and some Italian.

Leini Margue
Senior Public Affairs Manager
Leini is responsible for Vårgrønn’s public affairs and stakeholder management in the UK and Ireland.
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Lena is Vårgrønn’s HR Manager. She is responsible for Vårgrønn’s HR operations, and advancing and implementing our HR strategy.

Before joining Vårgrønn in August 2023, Lena worked as the Regional Director HR Nordics in Bilfinger. She has 15 years’ experience within operational and strategical roles across the areas of People, Organisation and Communication.

Lena holds a BSc in Social Science and HR Management from the University in Stavanger.
 
Based in Stavanger, Lena speaks Norwegian, English and Bosnian/Croatian.

Lena Suljanovic
HR Manager
Lena is Vårgrønn’s HR Manager. She is responsible for Vårgrønn’s HR operations, and advancing and implementing our HR strategy.
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Marianne is responsible for Human Resources, IT and operational office management at Vårgrønn.

Marianne has 30 years' experience within operational office management, HR, legal and administration. Before joining Vårgrønn in January 2022, Marianne previously worked in HeidelbergCement and Aker Energy AS. Prior to that, Marianne worked in consulting for about 20 years, most recently as Office Manager in Korn Ferry and in BearingPoint Norway for five years.

Marianne is certified as a paralegal through the Norwegian Lawyers' Association.

Based in Oslo, Marianne speaks Norwegian and English.

Marianne Odland
Admin Lead
Marianne is responsible for Human Resources, IT and operational office management at Vårgrønn.
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Natalia is a Financial Controller for Vårgrønn Service Company, our UK subsidiary.

Natalia has extensive experience as a financial controller. Before joining Vårgrønn in July 2023, Natalia worked for infrastructure, oil & gas and mining companies, including almost 10 years at Interconnector, a company that operates a bi-directional gas pipeline between UK and Belgium.

Natalia is an ACCA charted accountant with BA degree in financial management.

Based in London, Natalia speaks English and Russian.

Natalia Platt
Financial Controller
Natalia is a Financial Controller for Vårgrønn Service Company, our UK subsidiary.
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Nick leads the Procurement function at Vårgrønn working with our stakeholders to build supply chain partners and execute industry leading procurement for our Project Portfolio.

Before joining Vårgrønn in June 2023, Nick worked as the Director of Procurement for K2 Management. Nick has worked in the renewable industry for 25 years as a developer, within sales, construction, and the operational management of renewable assets for class leading Company’s but has specialised in procurement for the past 10 years.

Nick holds a BSc in Leisure & Resource Management and an MSc in Business & Resources Management from UCE & the University of Wales.

Based in London, Nick speaks English.

Nick Ripley
Head of Procurement
Nick leads the Procurement function at Vårgrønn working with our stakeholders to build supply chain partners and execute industry leading procurement for our Project Portfolio.
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Olav leads the company, developing the strategy and growth plans for Vårgrønn, while overseeing operations. Olav has been CEO of Vårgrønn since the company's inception in November 2020.

Olav has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy industry, including more than 20 years’ experience working on renewable energy. Before joining Vårgrønn, Olav was SVP of Wind and Solar Northwest Europe in Statkraft, the largest renewable energy producer in Europe. He held several other management positions across Statkraft and was responsible for building up the offshore wind business from 2010 until investments were realised in 2018. This included the Statkraft interests in projects of Sheringham Shoal, Dogger Bank, Dudgeon and Triton Knoll. Previously, Olav was Vice President of Projects at Enviro Energi and a Senior Advisor at ECON. Olav also has almost 10 years' experience from Equinor (then Statoil) as a Project Manager, Senior Project Engineer and Senior Process Engineer, where he worked across projects in Norway and Azerbaijan.

Olav holds an MBA from BI Norwegian Business School and a BSc in Natural Gas Engineering from the University of Salford, England.

Based in Oslo, Olav speaks Norwegian and English.

Olav Hetland
CEO
Olav leads the company, developing the strategy and growth plans for Vårgrønn, while overseeing operations.
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Rachel works closely with the Financial Controller and CFO in supporting the preparation and reporting of Vårgrønn’s consolidated financial results.

Before moving to Norway from the UK and joining Vårgrønn in November 2022, Rachel worked as a Group Financial Accountant for a global listed digital media company in London. Previously, she has also worked as an auditor at KPMG in the UK.

Rachel holds an Msc in Business Analytics, and a Bsc in Management both from the University of Southampton, UK. She is also a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Based in Stavanger, Rachel speaks English and is learning Norwegian.

Rachel Duncan
Financial Analyst
Rachel works closely with the Financial Controller and CFO in supporting the preparation and reporting of Vårgrønn’s consolidated financial results.
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Roberto supports Vårgrønn’s growth strategy through originating and developing new offshore wind opportunities and negotiating strategic partnerships with other market players.

Roberto has 15 years' experience working across renewable energy business development. Before joining Vårgrønn in February 2023, Roberto worked as Offshore Wind Bid Manager for Eni Plenitude. Previously, Roberto was Business Developer Manager at Eni, RWE and Sorgenia, an Italian energy company.

Roberto holds a MSc in Environmental Sciences from University of Milan-Bicocca in Italy and a Master Degree in Business Management and Organizational Development from MIP School of Management – Politecnico di Milano in Italy.

Based in London, Roberto speaks English and Italian.

Roberto Galbussera
Senior Business Development Manager
Roberto supports Vårgrønn’s growth strategy through originating and developing new offshore wind opportunities and negotiating strategic partnerships with other market players.
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Rui Rui leads the foundation package for offshore wind projects at Vårgrønn.

Before joining Vårgrønn in August 2023, Rui Rui worked as Foundation Design Manager at Vattenfall, where she led innovative workstreams to mature Vattenfall’s floating foundation strategy, especially for the Muir Mhòr Floating Offshore Wind Project. She has over 10 years of experience working for designers, contractors and developers such as Ramboll, Saipem and ScottishPower Renewables. Rui Rui has also delivered various fixed bottom foundation projects such as East Anglia Hub, Seagreen and Northewester 2.

Rui Rui holds a MSc in Energy and Environmental Performance Modelling and a BEng Hons in Civil Engineering with German. She is a chartered engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers and currently working towards her Project Management Professional (PMP) qualification.

Based in London, Rui Rui speaks English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Rui Rui Wang
Foundation Package Manager
Rui Rui leads the foundation package for offshore wind projects at Vårgrønn.
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Sarah is a Proposals Manager in the Business Development team at Vårgrønn. She develops bids to secure offshore wind project rights and assists with mergers & acquisition (M&A) transactions. She also supports the identification of new business development opportunities.

Before joining Vårgrønn in October 2023, Sarah worked as a Bid Manager at SSE Renewables. Previously, she worked as a lead bid analyst at SSE Renewables and as an analyst at EDF Renewables.

Sarah holds an BA(Hons) in International Business from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Based in Glasgow and London, Sarah speaks English and is learning Spanish.

Sarah Kidd
Proposals Manager
Sarah is a Proposals Manager in the Business Development team at Vårgrønn. She develops bids to secure offshore wind project rights and assists with mergers & acquisition (M&A) transactions.
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Stefano leads asset management across Vårgrønn's projects, including Dogger Bank in the UK. Stefano has 20 years' experience in offshore oil and gas.

Before joining Vårgrønn as a secondee from Eni in September 2022, Stefano worked across different Eni Group companies, including on the development of fixed and floating offshore platforms through all the different phases from development (feasibility, concept selection, front end engineering design and execution), through to operation and decommissioning. At Eni, Stefano held different roles. After starting as an offshore structural engineer, Stefano headed up the offshore technical department, where he lead on engineering management and project management. Stefano has extensive experience in asset management and asset integrity management of both offshore fixed platforms and floating installations, including lifetime extensions projects.

Stefano holds a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy.

Based in London, Stefano speaks Italian and English.

Stefano Sartirana
SVP Asset Management
Stefano leads asset management across Vårgrønn's projects, including Dogger Bank in the UK. Stefano has 20 years' experience in offshore oil and gas.
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Stine leads project controls at Vårgrønn, keeping track of cost, time, and risk across several projects in various markets. Stine also leads Vårgrønn’s procurement processes.

Before joining Vårgrønn in April 2022, Stine worked for more than 15 years in the oil and gas industry, most recently as Operations Controller in the drilling and completions segments of Schlumberger. Previously she worked as Project Controller of SURF projects in Ocean Installer and Subsea 7, and as a Commercial Controller Intern at Vår Energi.

Stine holds an MSc in Economics and Administration from Copenhagen Business School and a BSc in Economics and Administration from NHH Norwegian School of Economics.

Based in Stavanger, Stine speaks English, Norwegian and basic German.

Stine Kyllesø
Senior Project Controller
Stine leads project controls at Vårgrønn, keeping track of cost, time, and risk across several projects in various markets.
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Torjus is responsible for Vårgrønn's accounting and reporting, tax reporting, internal control over financial reporting, treasury and cash management. Torjus is the point of contact for external auditors and supports the audit committee. 

Before joining Vårgrønn in March 2022, Torjus worked at EY, where he managed audit engagements, with particular focus on upstream oil and gas. His auditing experience includes auditing of listed companies and SOX compliance audits.

Torjus holds an MSc in Applied Finance as well as an MSc in Auditing and Accounting, both from the University of Stavanger.

Based in Stavanger, Torjus speaks Norwegian and English.

Torjus Ølberg Fongaard
Senior Financial Controller
Torjus is responsible for Vårgrønn’s accounting and reporting, tax reporting, internal control over financial reporting, treasury and cash management.
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Vaishnavi leads the commercial management work for Vårgrønn. She works with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure commercial governance across our project portfolio.

Before joining Vårgrønn in August 2023, Vaishnavi worked for 10 years as the Commercial Manager at Worley. Here, she worked across various Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) projects, including oil and gas, offshore wind and green hydrogen. Previously, Vaishnavi worked as a General Wireline field Engineer with Schlumberger for 5 years in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Vaishnavi holds a B.E(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and a M.SC(Hons) in Physics from Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani India. She also holds a LLM in petroleum Law and Policy from the University of Dundee Scotland.

Based in Oslo, Vaishnavi speaks English and Tamil.

Vaishnavi Arumugam
Commercial Manager
Vaishnavi leads the commercial management work for Vårgrønn. She works with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure commercial governance across our project portfolio.
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Board of Directors

Alessandro is currently the head of Renewables in Eni Plenitude, the Eni’s company dedicated to the integration of renewable power generation and sales to retail customers.

From 2016 to 2020, Alessandro led the LNG Business Unit of Eni worldwide. Previously he held different positions in the natural gas business, including as lead negotiator of long-term gas supply contracts from 2013 to 2015. He spent four years in Spain, where he worked as Managing Director of Union Fenosa Gas up to 2012. In that period he was also Board member in the companies owning the Damietta liquefaction plant in Egypt and the Qalhat LNG train in Oman.

Formerly he was responsible for Eni’s international gas pipelines, working with various roles for pipeline companies as Trans Austria Gasleitung,  Transitgas (Switzerland), TENP (Germany) , Transmed and Trans Tunisian Pipeline. He has been member of the Board of Directors of Interconnector (UK) for several years to July 2012.

Alessandro Della Zoppa
Head of Renewables, Plenitude
Alessandro is currently the head of Renewables in Eni Plenitude, the Eni’s company dedicated to the integration of renewable power generation and sales to retail customers.
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Nicola has 25 years’ experience from the energy sector and is on the team responsible for developing Plenitude, the Eni company that integrates generation of renewables, energy solutions for customers and EV charging network.

Nicola joined Eni in 1998 from Deutsche Bank and in his first years in Eni did different managerial experience in the field of Finance, Accounting, Planning & Control. He was CFO of DistrigazSA (Belgian Eni subsidiary) and held various positions within Planning & Control and M&A in Eni Gas & Power business. He has also been Board Member at Adriaplin (Slovenian utility company), EDA Thessaloniki-Thessalia (Greek natural gas distributor) and GASTEC (Egyptian CNG distributor) and is currently Board Member at Plenitude Espana (Spanish retail company) and Board President of Evolvere (Italian distributed generation company). Nicola graduated in Business and Economics from LUISS University in Rome and holds a Master in General Management from Politecnico di Milano.

Nicola Giorgi
Chief Financial and Risk Officer (CFRO), Plenitude
Nicola has 25 years’ experience from the energy sector and is on the team responsible for developing Plenitude
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Claudio has more than 18 years of experience in the energy sector. He joined Eni Group's renewable energy business, later merged into Plenitude, from its early stages of establishment in 2015. He first led the global development team and then opened and structured the US market for Plenitude, developing, acquiring, and operating more than 800 MW of onshore renewables.  

Previously, he gained international experience in gas transportation business working in Italy, Europe and North Africa. He holds a degree in Economics and an MBA in Energy and Environmental Management and Economics.

Claudio Piccinelli
Head of Offshore Wind and Northern Europe Renewables, Plenitude
Claudio has more than 18 years of experience in the energy sector.
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Erlend has almost 15 years’ experience from the energy sector and currently serves as Senior Partner and Head of Investment Team at HitecVision. 

He has played a vital role in HitecVision’s build-up of leading North Sea Exploration and Production (E&P) companies Vår Energi and Neo Energy, the development of the firm’s Energy Transition Strategy and its recent renewable and low-carbon energy investments, including Vårgrønn. Erlend previously held various roles in Equinor and holds a MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University, USA and a BSc in Physics from Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse, France.

Erlend B. Ellingsen
Senior Partner, HitecVision
Erlend has almost 15 years’ experience from the energy sector and currently serves as Senior Partner and Head of Investment Team at HitecVision. 
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Irene has more than 20 years of experience from the energy sector and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Posten Norge, joining in 2019. 

From 2008 to 2019, she served in various financial leadership roles in Statkraft, Europe's largest generators of renewable energy, most recently as Executive Vice President and CFO from 2016 to 2019. From 2005 to 2008, she was a financial manager for J.F. Knudtzen, and from 2000 to 2005, she served as Controller for Nera SatCom. Irene held a variety of financial roles at Statoil, now Equinor, from 1992 to 2000. She began her career in 1988 as a financial manager for Ulstein Elektro (part of the Ulstein Group). Irene serves as a board member for three privately held companies.

Irene Egset
CFO, Posten
Irene has more than 20 years of experience from the energy sector and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Posten Norge, joining in 2019. 
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Paul has more than 36 years of broad experience within the energy- and power sector, having held a number of senior Executive positions both in the UK and overseas.

Paul recently moved on from corporate business management to develop a small non-executive portfolio where he contributes his many years of diverse experience in the energy sector to create future value.

Previously, Paul was Director of Wind Energy Offshore and member of the executive management team at Innogy Renewables., and Director of Asset Development and Managing Director at RWE, where he led the UK business across renewables, including onshore and offshore wind, hydro and marine development, construction and operation.

Paul Cowling (Observer)
C.Eng. FIMechE. Independent Non-Executive Director and offshore wind advisor
Paul has more than 36 years of broad experience within the energy- and power sector, having held a number of senior Executive positions both in the UK and overseas.
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