New Leadership Emerges at Helse Midt-Norge
In recent days, it was announced that Per Axel Koch will take the helm as the new chairman of Helse Midt-Norge, succeeding Odd Inge Mjøen. The boards overseeing Norway’s regional health trusts bear the significant responsibility of guiding healthcare in their regions.
Koch is not stepping into this role alone; a review reveals that only Steinar Kristoffersen remains from the previous board. The newly composed board for the state-owned health enterprise Helse Midt-Norge RHF now includes:
- Per Axel Koch (Chairman) – New appointment
- Bjørn Haugstad (Deputy Chairman) – New appointment
- Steinar Kristoffersen – Continuing member
- Bente Glomset Vikhagen – New appointment
- Roy Børge Sigernes-Sørlie – New appointment
- Ragnhild Holmberg Aunsmo – New appointment
- Hege Leirfall Ingebrigtsen – New appointment
Adjustments to Board Compensation
According to the most recent minutes from the board meeting on January 9, the compensation packages for board members have been set at 375,000 kroner for the chairman, 250,000 kroner for the deputy chairman, and 180,000 kroner for the remaining members. Alternate members will receive 7,000 kroner per meeting.
This marks an 11 percent increase for the chairman compared to the previous rate set in 2024, which was 337,000 kroner for the chairman, 226,000 for the deputy chairman, and 164,000 for other members. The adjustments also reflect a 10.6 percent increase for the deputy chairman and a 9.8 percent increase for other board members.
Helse Midt-Norge, overseen by the Ministry of Health and Care Services, has faced scrutiny in recent years regarding salaries and compensations within state enterprises, with some figures surpassing even the Prime Minister’s salary.
With approximately 22,000 employees and an annual turnover nearing 30 billion kroner, Helse Midt-Norge is currently grappling with financial challenges. The company anticipates a deficit of 544 million kroner for the fiscal year 2025, a situation that outgoing chairman Mjøen has described as “demanding.” Yet, despite these economic hurdles, board compensations are increasing.
In response to inquiries from MN24 about the rationale behind these new compensations, Health and Care Deputy Minister Karl Kristian Bekeng explained that the role of chairman involves significant time commitments and is relatively modestly compensated, especially in comparison to leadership positions in similarly sized state-owned enterprises. He also noted that compensation adjustments are informed by the Technical Advisory Committee for Wage Settlements and reflect average annual growth in the relevant sectors.
Koch has expressed his view regarding the importance of Helse Midt-Norge to Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag, emphasizing its critical role in the community.
Addressing Potential Conflicts of Interest
The new chairman has also attracted attention regarding potential conflicts of interest, given his dual role as CEO of Polaris Media, which owns Adresseavisen and other regional media outlets. In a recent interview, Koch addressed these concerns, indicating that governance structures ensure a clear separation between management and editorial content at the media houses, which are independently run by their respective editorial boards.
Ministerial Satisfaction
On January 9, Health and Care Minister Jan Christian Vestre announced new boards for all four regional health trusts, with a total of 15 out of 40 members being replaced—more than double the previous turnover. Vestre expressed satisfaction with the new appointments, anticipating that they would contribute to the realization of the government’s healthcare policies and enhance the overall service as the country approaches broader health reforms.
With such significant changes underway, the new board of Helse Midt-Norge will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare in the region.