THE BOARD

Chairman
Harald Martinsen (HaMaC)

As a founding member of BNCC, since its creation in 2002, Harald Martinsen has significantly contributed to its growth for the past 10 years.

After 28 years at Hydro, of which 5 were spent in Brazil, Harald Martinsen decided it was time for a new start and joined themining company Northern Iron, in Kirkenes. He now sits as Chairman of the Board of the BNCC (since the 18th of April of 2013).

Vanessa Wottrich (Equinor)

Vanessa works in Equinor’s global strategy and business development unit with focus on Latin America, based in Oslo. In her current role, she advises the company on national and regional political developments and trends in Latin America. She joined Equinor in 2009 and has worked on project advisory and strategy roles covering Equinor’s international portfolio. Prior to joining Equinor, she worked as a management consultant based in Brazil and China. 
 
Vanessa holds an MSc in Strategic Project Management from Herriot-Watt University (UK), Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and Umea University (Sweden), as well as an MSc in Strategy from the Federal University of Santa Maria (Brazil).

Ana Paula Mello (Lundin)

Ana Paula Mello Hovd has been with the chamber since february 2015. Ana is a Commercial Advisor at Lundin Norway, based in Oslo. Before joining Lundin, she spent 6 years with BG Group in Brazil, UK and Norway. 

Ana has worked on the commercial development and operations of oil and gas fields in the Brazilian pre-salt and Norwegian continental shelf.

She holds a Business Degree from UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) and a specialization on Energy Management and Economics from UFRJ-COPPEAD.

Treasure
Ida Stuve (DNB)

Ida Stuve was elected to the board in 2018 and serves as Treasurer. Ida is an Advisor in the Global Project Finance team in DNB's Large Corporates and International business area.

She has banking experience from both Norway and Brazil and has worked and studied in Latin America for over 4 years. In her current role in DNB she focuses on the power and renewable sector, with a strong focus on Latin American markets. Ida holds an MA Cum Laude in International Energy from Institut d'études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).

Ottar Hermansen (Innovation Norway)

Ottar Hermansen joined the Board in September 2014 representing Innovation Norway. He works within innovation and international business development. He is also the Program Manager for the Innovation Norway Business Network Program.

Innovation Norway is the most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. They aim to assist Norwegian businesses grow and find new markets. Local presence is therefore of crucial concern to them. Innovation Norway Brazil-office is located in Rio de Janeiro.

Aleksander Skaare (Scatec Solar)

Aleksander Skaare joined BNCC in 2013. Mr. Skaare has held different roles within Supply Chain in Aker Solutions since 2013, working with projects in Norway, UK and Angola.  Aker Solutions has a strong local presence in Brazil, having won large contracts over the past years.

Skaare has previously worked 5 years as a Tax Advisor. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Oslo and a Master Degree in Business Administration from HIBU/NUS. Skaare’s 2013 master thesis explored Norwegian-Brazilian business relations in the oil and gas industry.

Tor-Ove Horstad (Norsk Hydro)

Tor-Ove Horstad joined the Board in 2012 as representative from Norsk Hydro. Tor-Ove was President for Norsk Hydro Brasil for 3 years before returning to Norway in 2011. He is now Senior Vice President within Norsk Hydro responsible for energy sourcing globally, including Hydro’s business in Brazil.

While based in Brazil, he worked closely with Brazilian partners and was engaged in the acquisition of Vale’s aluminium business. He has also held position as board member in NBCC, including served as Chairman.

Jan Tore Linstad (The Kongsberg group)

Jan Tore Linstad was elected to the board in 2017, representing the Kongsberg Group. He is President Offshore Americas, Sales & Marketing and has been Kongsberg's director in Brazil.

Aas has extensive experience from working with international trades and is involved in Brazilian deliveries in many years.

Celma Regina Hellebust (Hellebust Int.)

Celma Regina Hellebust is Brazilian lawyer and one of the founding members of BNCC. She has served as a Board member for more than 10 years.

She has worked with Brazilian Law in Norway since 2002 and comparison of HSE regulations for the oil industry between Norway and Brazil in the past 5 years, through her own company, Hellebust International Consulting AS.​

Aage Thoen (Aage Thoen Ltd)

Aage Thoen has been with the chamber since 2005 and has a 30 years career within banking, shipping and offshore. He has held chief executive and board positions of public and private shipping and energy companies and founded his own shipping and marine service company in 1997 with a fleet of car carriers and offices in Oslo, Tokyo and Manila. Currently, he also chairs the board of a Canadian oil and gas company and Bank2 of Oslo.