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JENS HØJGAARD CHRISTOFFERSEN NEW GROUP CEO OF COWI

JENS HØJGAARD CHRISTOFFERSEN NEW GROUP CEO OF COWI

On 1 October, Jens Højgaard Christoffersen takes over as Group CEO of COWI, succeeding Lars-Peter Søbye, who has decided to step down.

Jens Højgaard Christoffersen will be given the overall reins of a company geared for global growth when he assumes the position as Group CEO on 1 October. He is currently a member of the Executive Board as Chief Business Development Officer.

“This year, COWI has been revitalised by a new vision, new values and a new, future-oriented growth strategy. These initiatives have been embraced by the organisation, which is already evident from the half-year results, which show significant progress,” says Jukka Pertola, Chairman of COWI’s Board of Directors.

He continues: ”Thanks to FUTURE-NOW, our new strategy, COWI stands out as a streamlined business with a strong profile in the green transition. Therefore, this is the right time for Lars-Peter to pass on the baton, and especially to Jens Højgaard Christoffersen, who is a visionary and customer-oriented COWI man to the backbone. With Jens and our strong Executive Board at the helm, COWI will benefit from a mix of continuity and renewal, building on COWI’s values and culture.”

Jens Højgaard Christoffersen adds: ”Of course, I’m immensely proud to be given the opportunity to lead COWI, but also deeply humbled. COWI plays an important role in advising our customers about how to quickly and safely navigate the green transition, thereby ensuring that our world becomes more sustainable. Transforming our society requires that we join forces with customers, partners and public authorities. Realising the green transition in time takes an open mind, trust and courage, and I will do whatever I can to make sure that COWI continues to do our part.”

NEW ROLE FOR LARS-PETER SØBYE

Lars-Peter Søbye has been with COWI for 36 years, the past 14 as Group CEO. He has decided to step down to focus on a career as professional board member and spend more time with his family.

”Like they say, you need to stop while the going is good, and that’s now, in my case. We’ve launched a new strategy, which has been embraced by our employees and customers. I’m so proud to have had the chance to be part of a company with such an important vision that does such important work in society and the world – together with engaged and talented colleagues,” says Lars-Peter Søbye and continues.

”Our financial results are record-high and we’ve only just embarked on the green transition. Letting Jens take over the reins now will allow him and the management team to fine-tune our business and plans.”

For the next year, he will act as executive advisor and follow select outstanding issues all the way through to completion.

STRONG TEAM IN PLACE TO TAKE COWI TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The Executive Board will from 1 October 2022 consist of Jens Højgaard Christoffersen (Group CEO), Natalie Shaverdian Riise-Knudsen (Group CFO) and Rasmus Ødum (Group COO). Also, a replacement for Jens’s current position on the Executive Board will be found.

CV OF JENS HØJGAARD CHRISTOFFERSEN

Jens Højgaard Christoffersen (53) joined COWI in 1995, and he has been a member of the Executive Board since January 2020 as Group Chief Business Development Officer. In that role, his work mainly centres on customer experience, innovation and digitalisation as well as sales activities across the COWI Group.

During his career, Jens Højgaard Christoffersen has headed projects and organisations in Denmark and abroad. The common thread has been linking customer ambitions with the right persons and the right technology in order to support fulfilment of the target benefits for the customer and society.

He holds a PhD from the Technical University of Denmark and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Finance) from Copenhagen Business School.

CV OF LARS-PETER SØBYE

Lars-Peter Søbye (62) graduated as civil engineer from Aalborg University (1985) and joined COWI in 1986. Since 2008, he has been CEO of the COWI Group. He joined the Executive Board in 2005, having held a range of management positions in Denmark and abroad.

Lars-Peter Søbye has also served as Chairman of the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) since 2017, but will not stand for re-election at the chairmanship election in October 2022. He was also Chairman of BLOXHUB from 2016 to 2022.

In 2019, Lars-Peter Søbye was awarded a knighthood in the Order of Dannebrog.