Leif Terje Løddesøl
Leif Terje Løddesøl | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 24, 1935 Oslo, Norway |
| Died | November 18, 2021 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
| Known for | CEO of ScanAustral, Wilh. Wilhelmsen, Den norske Creditbank; Chairman of Statoil; President of Norwegian Shipowners' Association and Norwegian National Opera |
Leif Terje Løddesøl (24 April 1935 – 18 November 2021) was a prominent figure in Norwegian business.
Originating from Oslo, he earned his cand.jur. degree at the University of Oslo in 1960 and pursued further studies at both The Hague Academy of International Law and the College of Europe in Brussels. Following a period as a deputy judge, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1963 and 1966, then moved on to work with the Norwegian Shipowners' Association from 1966 to 1969.
Løddesøl held chief executive positions at ScanAustral from 1969 to 1973, Wilh. Wilhelmsen between 1973 and 1980, and Den norske Creditbank during the years 1980 to 1988. His leadership at the bank coincided with the financial turmoil following Black Monday in 1987, as well as issues related to internal fraud, which ultimately resulted in his dismissal in 1988. Subsequently, he rejoined Wilh. Wilhelmsen’s executive management until the year 2000 and later served as president of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association from 2000 through 2002.
Throughout his career, Løddesøl occupied various board positions, including a seat on Den norske Creditbank's board during the 1970s. He chaired the Norwegian Bankers' Association from 1982 to 1984, led the Norwegian National Opera from 1996 until 2005, presided over Wilh. Wilhelmsen’s board between 2000 and 2003, and was a member of Statoil’s corporate council starting in 1996. He advanced to chair Statoil’s board from 2002 to 2003 before resigning amid the controversy surrounding the Iran case.
In recognition of his contributions, Løddesøl was awarded the title Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav in 1985.