Karen Spens appointed as new President at BI Norwegian Business School
4 February 2022The Board of Trustees has appointed Karen Spens as President for the fixed term period 1 August 2022 – 1 August 2026. Spens comes from the position as rector of Hanken School of Economics.
The Board of Trustees appoints Spens after a unanimous recommendation from the nomination committee. The Chair of the Board, Åse Aulie Michelet, is very pleased that Spens has accepted the position.
“Karen Spens has a long and relevant experience through different leadership roles in academia and has achieved very good academic and financial results. Spens also has a large international network, and she has experience from stays at several universities, amongst others in the USA. In addition, Karen Spens is known to be a committed and development-oriented leader. These are qualities I believe is important to be a good and unifying president for everyone at BI,” says Michelet.
Spens is delighted to accept the position.
“I am proud and honored to be appointed new president at BI Norwegian Business School. I look forward to work with a highly professional organisation, talented students, and the whole BI family to meet future challenges in an innovative way both nationally and globally,” says Karen Spens.
Karen Spens is a Finnish citizen and becomes BI Norwegian Business School’s first female president.
President Inge Jan Henjesand’s second and final term expires on 1 August 2022. The Chair of the Board, Åse Aulie Michelet, expresses gratitude for the great results Henjesand has achieved throughout this period and wishes him good luck with the final six months as President of BI.
Brief résumé:
Karen Spens has been rector of Hanken School of Economics since 2015. She received her PhD from Hanken in 2001 and became professor of supply chain management and corporate geography in 2007. She has since held several leadership positions at Hanken, including Dean of education from 2010-2015.
Spens has experience from several international organisations as member of the board at AACSB, a member of the EQUIS Committee and as a trustee of AMBA & BGA’s international board. Through these positions, she has gained insight into the operation of business schools and universities in a number of countries in Europe, Asia and South America.