Helge Leiro Baastad nominated as new Chair of the Board of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge ASA

The Nomination Committee of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge ASA has nominated Helge Leiro Baastad as the new Chair of the Board of the Group.

Baastad has extensive experience from the financial sector, including 20 years as Group CEO of the insurance company Gjensidige. In recent years, he has also held several chair positions on various boards.

“The Nomination Committee has emphasized the importance of identifying a chair candidate with extensive leadership experience, high integrity, strong collaboration skills, and a solid understanding of complex organizations. Now that the Group has completed the merger process and is entering a new phase of development, we recommend Helge Leiro Baastad as he possesses precisely these qualifications,” says Per Sekse, Chair of the Nomination Committee of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge ASA.

The election of the Chair of the Board of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge ASA is carried out by the General Meeting. The Nomination Committee’s proposal will therefore be voted on at the General Meeting on 23 April.

“As one of Norway’s largest savings banks, SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge plays an important role both in the Norwegian economy and in the many local communities where the Group is present. This is a role I am keen to help further strengthen.

I am grateful that the Nomination Committee has proposed me as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to meeting the employees across the organisation who work every day to fulfil this role,” says Helge Leiro Baastad.

Finn Haugan will step down as Chair of the Board at the General Meeting. After serving as Group CEO of SpareBank 1 SMN for 28 years, he was Chair of the Board of SpareBank 1 Sørøst-Norge leading up to the merger with SpareBank 1 SR-Bank in October 2024. Since then, he has served as Chair of the Board of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge ASA.

“The financial sector has undergone major changes and significant development during this period. In recent years, we have seen a wave of mergers. It has been exciting to be part of this, and to contribute to the creation of one of Norway’s strongest savings banks, with a clear and strong commitment to the local communities around us. I am proud of the establishment of SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge, and I am confident that Helge is the right person to lead the continued development of the Group,” says Finn Haugan.

“We would like to thank outgoing Chair of the Board Finn Haugan, who through his leadership and significant contributions during a period characterized by integration and extensive change, has laid a strong foundation for the Board’s continued work,” says Per Sekse, Chair of the Nomination Committee.

Stavanger, 26 March 2026

Contacts: Per Sekse, Chair of the Nomination Committee, tel. +47 979 88 377 Helge Leiro Baastad, nominated Chair of the Board, tel. +47 901 22 451 Finn Haugan, Chair of the Board, tel. +47 900 41 002