Reidar Gjærum joined Statoil ASA as executive vice president for corporate communication on 2 May, when Ola Morten Aanestad was also named acting vice president for public affairs.
Previously a public affairs manager at head office, Mr Aanestad will be responsible for leading and coordinating the group’s overall contact with the press and media.
“I’m concerned to ensure that the corporate communication function supports our business operations and strategy,” says Mr Gjærum.
“The organisation will be quickly reviewed to ensure efficient utilisation of our overall resources, while work is launched to develop an overall communication strategy for the group.
“A good basis for this already exists. At the same time, the challenges facing Statoil in the time ahead create new demands and requirements for the communication function.”
In addition to providing a first-class service to the outside world, he says that a stronger commitment will be made to in-house information.
That includes the appointment of an editor-in-chief with overall responsibility for the group’s electronic and printed publications.