Board chair Lars Wilhelm Grøholt will serve as working chair until a new president and CEO is in place. Vidar Lerstad, senior vice president for strategy, will serve as acting chief executive during the same period.

 

"Norske Skog has had weak results for a long period," comments Grøholt. "To improve earnings and increase the pace of the current restructuring of the company's business, the board believes that Norske Skog would now be best served by a change of chief executive."

 

Oksum has worked for Norske Skog since 1979, and became president and CEO two years ago.

 

"He has done a good job for Norske Skog over many years, and we would like to thank him for his efforts," says Grøholt.

 

Further information from:

 

Media:

Lars Wilhelm Grøholt, mobile: +47 90 18 14 65

 

Hanne Aaberg, senior vice president for corporate communication, tel: +47 67 59 90 29, mobile: +47 91 35 16 81

 

Finance:

Rune Gjessing, director investor relations, tel: +47 67 59 90 73, mobile: +47 90 15 26 14

 

Note to editors
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A press conference on this subject will held at Norske Skog's head office at Oksenøya outside Oslo at 10.30 today.