Helge Thorbjørnsen will be the new rector at NHH
The NHH Board has today decided to appoint Professor Helge Thorbjørnsen (49) as the new rector. Thorbjørnsen takes office on 1 August 2025, succeeding Øystein Thøgersen.
Meet NHH’s New Vice Rectors
Katrine V. Løken (42), Steffen Juranek (43), and Kurt R. Brekke (56) have been appointed as new vice rectors at NHH. ` A young and dynamic dream team´, says incoming rector Helge Thorbjørnsen.
Katrine Vellesen Løken (born 1983) is a professor in the Department of Economics, where she has served as deputy head and coordinator for the department’s PhD students. She is also part of the leadership team at the Centre of Excellence FAIR. Løken holds a PhD in economics from the University of Bergen (2010). In 2014, she was promoted to full professor, becoming one of the youngest economics professors in Norway’s history. She has an extensive research record and has published in many leading international journals. Løken is also one of the editors of The Review of Economic Studies.
Today, the Board of NHH officially appointed three new vice rectors. They will assume their roles on 1 August 2025, alongside Professor Helge Thorbjørnsen (49), who will take over as rector after Øystein Thøgersen.
Kurt R. Brekke has been appointed Vice Rector for Faculty Affairs, Steffen Juranek as Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, and Katrine V. Løken as Vice Rector for Research.
`I’m truly excited to begin my term as rector together with this strong new team´, says Thorbjørnsen.
Educating Future Economists
Bjørg Marit Eknes, Director Organization and Governance, and Geir Mikalsen, Director of Communications and External Relations, will continue as members of the rector’s management team.
The Vice Rector for Education holds a 100 percent position, while the Vice Rectors for Research and for Faculty Management each hold 60 percent positions, with the remaining 40 percent allocated to their own academic work
`We have brought in three exceptionally qualified individuals with deep research experience, strong leadership skills, and a clear motivation to help shape NHH’s future. They will strengthen the school in key areas such as education, research, and internationalisation´, he says.
Thorbjørnsen also has a message for the students:
Steffen Juranek (born 1982) is a professor at the Department of Business and Management Science. He is a German citizen and holds a PhD (2012) from Goethe University in Frankfurt. He joined NHH in 2013, was appointed associate professor in 2017, and promoted to full professor in 2023. Juranek has developed strong pedagogical competence and was awarded the NHH Inspirational Award (NOK 250,000) in 2024. He has an extensive research portfolio, leads and teaches in The New Innovation School at NHH, and has served as Programme Director for the Executive MBA in Seafood Management since 2022.
`NHH is a fantastic institution with outstanding students. In a world facing major challenges and opportunities, particularly in areas like technology and sustainability, NHH can and should play a central role. As a leadership team, we’re committed to keeping our programmes relevant – so we can educate the economists and leaders of tomorrow´.
Three Distinct Profiles
He also emphasises that the composition of the rectorate reflects both the breadth and ambition of the institution. They have diverse academic backgrounds and experience.
`And a strong ability to think strategically on behalf of the entire organisation. I’m very pleased to have them on board´, says Thorbjørnsen.
Katrine V. Løken has been appointed Vice Rector for Research. She is a professor in the Department of Economics and affiliated with the Centre of Excellence FAIR.
`Katrine is one of Norway’s most recognised economists, with an impressive publication record and extensive experience in research leadership. She brings a clear focus on quality, recruitment, and international visibility – and will be a key driver in advancing NHH’s research ambitions, says NHH`s new rector.
International Perspective
Kurt Richard Brekke (born 1969) is a professor and head of the Department of Economics at NHH. He holds a PhD from the University of Bergen (2003). Brekke joined NHH as a postdoctoral fellow in 2005, became an associate professor in 2008, and was promoted to full professor in 2009. His research focuses on industrial organization, and he has an extensive publication record in the field. From 2016 to 2020, he served as Chief Economist at the Norwegian Competition Authority and he has broad experience as a research director (SNF). Brekke has also led BECCLE (Bergen Centre for Competition Law and Economics) and the Centre for Business Economics at NHH.
Steffen Juranek has been appointed Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. He is a professor in the Department of Business and Management Science, with extensive experience in programme development and teaching at both the master’s and executive level.
`Steffen has a strong pedagogical profile, deep commitment to teaching quality, and valuable international experience.
As one of many international scholars at NHH, it’s a great strength to have a leadership profile that reflects the diversity of our academic staff, says Thorbjørnsen.
Kurt Richard Brekke has been appointed Vice Rector for Faculty Affairs through a direct appointment process (a so-called “kallelse”), based on the Board’s decision.
`He is an experienced leader with a solid academic background and deep insight into how we can best organise and utilise our academic resources. He has served as research director, department head, and held senior leadership roles outside academia – making him highly qualified to take overall responsibility for faculty resources at NHH´, Thorbjørnsen says.
