Alumni Global Partners with the Chair of The Year Award in Denmark
Alumni Global Partners with the Chair of The Year Award in Denmark
May 6, 2025
We are happy to announce that we are proud sponsors and have supported the jury in The Chair of The Year Award in Denmark.
Helge Lund, Chair of the Board at Novo Nordisk, has just been honoured with the Chair of the Year award.
The award was presented by Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov, at a private event held at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). Other speakers includeded Britt Meelby Jensen, Christina Grumstrup, and CBS President Peter Møllgaard.
Relaunched with Strong Partners and Future Focus
Chair of the Year was relaunched this year in collaboration with Copenhagen Business School and with EY as the main partner.
Alumni Global has been responsible for the professional selection process, led by Managing Director Hans Henrik Lüttichau-Holm.
The award was originally founded in Norway in 2000 and launched in Denmark in 2007. Going forward, the scope will also include growth companies with exports and revenue above DKK 100 million.
Chair of the Year 2024 – Jury Statement
The recipient of the Chair of the Year 2024 has, with great strategic oversight and international perspective, played a pivotal role in one of Danish business’ most remarkable success stories.
Under his leadership, the company has managed to scale to exceptional growth and attain a leading position in areas of significant societal importance.
The award winner has strengthened the board’s strategic work and – together with his team – supported a management that has consistently delivered results, all while maintaining high ethical standards and a strong sustainability profile.
With a steady hand, he has navigated complex business and regulatory environments and succeeded in balancing innovation with responsible governance.
At the same time, during a period marked by market volatility, geopolitical risks, and uncertainty around future conditions, the award recipient has shown that strong board leadership is also about maintaining calm, direction, and focus – even when stock prices fluctuate. It is especially in challenging times that a skilled board chair proves their worth.
This year’s recipient is known for his thoroughness, strategic vision, and trust-inspiring leadership style.
With his experience, sound judgment, and ability to navigate high complexity, the jury is pleased to name Helge Lund of Novo Nordisk as Chair of the Year 2024.
Strong Jury with Broad Expertise
The jury consisted of seasoned professionals with deep insight into board work and leadership:
Britt Meelby Jensen, CEO, Ambu
Lotte G. Lundberg, CEO, Danish Maritime Fund
Rikke Kjær Nielsen, Partner, EQT
Jens Wittrup Willumsen, Chair
Thomas Thune Andersen, Chair
Gunnar Eckbo, Board analyst and founder, Styreinformasjon AS
The Best Decisions Require the Best Board Members
Novo Nordisk is a global company, and the jury emphasised that Helge Lund has assembled a strong board, with 50% of its members having international backgrounds – a key strength in understanding global markets, risks, and opportunities.
Novo Nordisk Board of Directors:
Chair: Helge Lund (Norwegian)
Vice Chair: Henrik Poulsen (Danish)
Board Members:
Liselotte Hyveled-Nielsen (Danish)
Mette Bøjer Jensen (Danish)
Sylvie Grégoire (Canadian/American)
Kasim Kutay (British)
Andreas Fibig (German)
Martin Mackay (British/American)
Thomas Rantzau (Danish)
Laurence Debroux (French)
Christina Law (Chinese)
Elisabeth Dahl Christensen (Danish)
A Symbolically Strong Trophy
The award is a 120 cm tall traveling trophy in the form of a golden sarcophagus, created by internationally acclaimed Norwegian artist Marian Heyerdahl. It contains a mosaic shaped like an egg – a symbol of new ideas and the eternal life of the enterprise. After one year, the current recipient passes the sarcophagus on to the next year’s winner.
For more information contact:
Hans Henrik Lüttichau-Holm, Alumni Global
Tel: +45 40 80 85 00
Email: hh@alumniglobal.com
Gunnar Eckbo, Chair and Founder, Styreinformasjon AS
Tel: +47 92 02 45 76
Email: post@styreinfo.no
Website: www.thechairoftheyear.dk
About Alumni Global
We are a leading executive search and leadership services firm. Founded in 1990, we have always worked in partnership with a range of progressive and established organisations in finding and developing the highly skilled competence they need in this increasingly competitive world. We identify and help develop the right leaders, key competence and skills needed within executive leadership across the globe.
We believe that great leadership is key to unleash potential in people and organisations and we are dedicated to fostering sustainable leadership practices that pave the way for success. Partnering with you, we help equip your organisation to make a difference.
From executive search and interim management to board services, leadership development and assessment; we tailor our broad portfolio of leadership services to your unique business requirements.
With locations across the Nordics, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the UK we have the resources of a global enterprise, whilst fostering a culture of innovation and agility that empowers our people utilise local expertise and respond to constantly changing needs.
Our vision: Unleash the potential of talent and leadership to make a sustainable impact on business and society.
