OSLO, Norway, Oct. 2, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Telenor ASA's (Nasdaq:TELN) corporate assembly has elected Thorleif Enger, Einar Forde, Jorgen Lindegaard and Bjorg Ven to Telenor's board of directors, which has also been expanded from nine to ten members, seven of which are shareholder representatives. Inge K. Hansen, Kari Broberg and Mai Buch are the three board members being replaced.
"The increase in the number of board members representing shareholders strengthens and adds deeper and broader competence to the board, which is needed in a company the size of Telenor. The four new board members compliment the board's overall management in an excellent manner, and provide the foundation necessary for Telenor to tackle future challenges," said Mona Rokke, head of Telenor's corporate assembly. Rokke says the hard work and dedication demonstrated by Hansen, Broberg and Buch during such an important period for Telenor was very much appreciated by the board.
The four new members are: Executive vice president Thorleif Enger (58) who is the head of Hydro Agri and is also a member of Norsk Hydro's corporate management. Former Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation director, general Einar Forde (58). Jorgen Lindegaard (53), president and CEO of the SAS Group and former president and CEO of GN Great Nordic, and lawyer Bjorg Ven (55) from the law firm Haavind Visli, who is also chairman of the board of the National Insurance Fund.
The two additional board members, Ashild Bendiktsen and Bente Neegard Halvorsen, who represent shareholders, were not up for re-election. Employee representatives Per Gunnar Salomonsen, Harald Stavn and Irma Ruth Tystad will continue as members of the newly elected board, which now comprises the following members:
-- Tom Vidar Rygh, Chairman of the Board
-- Financial Director Ashild Bendiktsen, Deputy Chairman
-- Executive Vice President, Thorleif Enger
-- Former Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Director,
General Einar Forde
-- Chief Cashier, Bente Neegard Halvorsen
-- President and CEO, Jorgen Lindegaard
-- Lawyer, Bjorg Ven
-- Managing Engineer, Per Gunnar Salomonsen
-- Employee Representative, Harald Stavn
-- Employee Representative, Irma Ruth Tystad