SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Thor Gjermund Eriksen is vacating his position as CEO of Norway’s state-owned betting firm Norsk Tipping after nine months in the leadership role.
The outgoing CEO was first appointed to the position in April 2022 before assuming full duties on 12 September, having worked as a journalist for the majority of his career.
Upon leaving Norsk Tipping on 1 October 2023 he will become CEO of Bane Nor, the government body responsible for the management and development of Norway’s railway network.
Eriksen remarked: “It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision, and the plan was clearly to stay in Norsk Tipping longer. In one year, I have become very happy with both the social mission Norsk Tipping has and also the employees at Hamar.”
A varied career has seen Erikesen take on a range of responsibilities across the Norwegian media scene before transitioning towards public services as CEO of state-backed Norsk Tipping last year, having worked as Editor of the Dagbladet and Aftenposten media outlets.
He later became Director and subsequently CEO of Amedia, the second largest media outlet in Norway with a portfolio of over 50 online and print newspapers, before moving into broadcasting as Head of Broadcasting at NRK.
On his new role, he added: “In the same way as Norsk Tipping, Bane Nor has an important social mission. Leading the job of ensuring good and future-oriented infrastructure on the railways in Norway is exciting and something I have chosen to accept.”
After being informed by Eriksen of his plans for departure, Sylvia Brustad, Norsk Tipping Chair, has ‘immediately’ initiated a search for a new CEO.
Brustad commented: “It is sad for both the board and the employees that Thor Gjermund is leaving. He has done a very good job in the time he has led the company, and we would very much like to see him stay with us longer. We wish him the best of luck in his new job.”
