Executive Team

Kjetil Houg is responsible for the daily operation and the development of Folketrygdfondet, and the management of Government Pension Fund Norway and Government Fund Tromsø.

Houg was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 September 2018. Previously, he was Chief Investment Officer at Oslo Pensjonsforsikring, Chief Economist at Alfred Berg/ABN Amro Bank, Chief Economist and Portfolio Manager at Folketrygdfondet, in addition to Political Advisor at the Norwegian Parliament. 

Houg holds a degree in social economics from the University of Oslo. He has also served on various board of directors, board of representatives, and nomination committees of major Norwegian companies.

Karl Mathisen is responsible for the equity department at Folketrygdfondet and equity investments in Government Pension Fund Norway.

Mathisen was appointed Chief Investment Officer Equities on 1 February 2023. He started at Folketrygdfondet in 2019 as Portfolio Manager. Previously, he has worked as a Portfolio Manager in Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) in London, Oslo and New York and as Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

Mathisen holds a master’s degree in business and administration from BI Norwegian Business School with a specialization in finance and accounting.

Jørgen Krog Sæbø is responsible for the fixed-income department at Folketrygdfondet and fixed-income investments in Government Pension Fund Norway.

Sæbø was appointed Chief Investment Officer Fixed Income on 1 February 2019. He started at Folketrygdfondet in 2007 and has extensive experience as Chief. He started as Financial Analyst, then moved into management of the fund, first as a Portfolio Manager Fixed Income and later as Chief Treasurer.

Sæbø holds a master’s degree in business, the advanced credit risk analysis program, and is certified European financial analyst from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). He also holds an MBA in finance from the same institution and is certified fixed income analyst by Finance Society Norway.

Jørn Nilsen is responsible for the research department at Folketrygdfondet.

Nilsen was appointed Chief Operating Officer on 1 January 2025. He started at Folketrygdfondet in 1997 and has extensive experience as Chief. Previously, he has worked as a higher executive officer at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and as a scholar at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).

Nilsen holds a master’s degree in business and candidatus mercatorius from NHH. He is also certified European financial analyst from the same institution.

Jørn Terje Krekling is responsible for the risk department at Folketrygdfondet.

Krekling was appointed Chief Risk Officer on 1 January 2025. He started at Folketrygdfondet in 2003 and has extensive experience as Chief. Previously, he has worked as Portfolio Manager Equities at Kredittkassen and Nordeafondene.

Krekling holds a master’s degree in business from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). He also holds an MBA from Bond University and is authorized portfolio manager from Finance Society Norway.

Lisbeth Johansen Kvam is responsible for the business support department at Folketrygdfondet.

Johansen Kvam was appointed Chief Business Support Officer on 1 January 2025. She started at Folketrygdfondet in 1996 and has extensive experience as Chief. Previously, she has worked as Adviser for the City of Oslo and Auditor at the National Audit Office of Norway.

Johansen Kvam holds a master’s degree in business from Bodø Business School and is authorized portfolio manager from Finance Society Norway. She holds a master’s degree in teamwork and management from BI Norwegian Business School and has also studied tourism economics at Sogn og Fjordane University College.

Christina Stray is responsible for the legal department at Folketrygdfondet.

Stray was appointed Chief Legal Officer on 1 January 2025. She started at Folketrygdfondet in 2009 and has extensive experience as Chief. Previously, she was Head of the Prospectus and Transactions Department at Oslo Stock Exchange, lawyer at Wiersholm and Mellbye & Bech.

Stray graduated from the University of Oslo with a law degree and holds a Master of Laws from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She has also served on various board of directors, board of representatives, and nomination committees of major Norwegian companies.

Aleksander Lindokken Olsen is responsible for the communications department at Folketrygdfondet.

Lindokken Olsen was appointed Chief Communications Officer on 1 January 2024 and started at Folketrygdfondet the same day. Previously, he worked as Global Media Director at Freyr Battery, Nordic Head of Communications at Colliers, Advisor in the CEO Office at Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), and Consultant at Geelmuyden Kiese's team for financial communication.

Lindokken Olsen holds a master's degree in business from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and holds a board certificate from the Board Company.

Karianne Kirstistuen is responsible for the HR department at Folketrygdfondet.

Kirstistuen was appointed Chief HR Officer on 1 January 2025 and started at Folketrygdfondet in 2022. Previously, she has worked as Senior HR Business Partner at TietoEvry and Santander Consumer Bank. She has also headed several entities in Oslo Municipality working with children and upbringing.

Kirstistuen holds a master’s degree in organizational development and management from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and a bachelor's degree in pedagogy from Oslo University College. She has also studied labor law at the University of South-Eastern Norway.