Skuld reshuffles leadership to fuel next decade of marine insurance growth
The Oslo-based insurer consolidates regional units and appoints new underwriting chief as it nears 130th anniversary.
The most immediate change sees Kristian Løberg, currently Skuld’s chief financial officer, step into the newly centralised role of chief underwriting officer (CUO). Taking over the financial reins is Oda Bjerketvedt Norderud, who assumes the CFO position from the same date.
Three global heads will now report directly to Løberg, each responsible for one of Skuld’s core product areas. Lars Dueled takes the helm as global head of P&I, while Paul Fry leads hull and Christofer Kobro oversees energy.
Skuld’s new structure collapses its previous regional silos into six larger, more resilient business units, each with broader market responsibilities. The six units and their leaders are as follows.
- Skuld Nordics, covering Oslo, Bergen and Copenhagen, led by Kristoffer Kohmann.
- Skuld Europe, with teams in Oslo, Hamburg and Piraeus, led on an interim basis by Lars Dueled. A permanent appointment will be made following an open search.
- Skuld UK & Americas, spanning London and New York, under Paul Fry.
- Skuld Hong Kong, currently led by Patrick Wang, who will transition to chairman of Skuld (Far East) in September 2027. Wei Fan will succeed him as head of the Hong Kong unit at that time.
- Skuld Energy, with teams in Oslo, London and Singapore, steered by Christofer Kobro.
New leadership to drive underwriting and financial strategy: Skuld
Skuld Hong Kong transition is part of Skuld’s long-term succession planning, designed to ensure continuity in one of its key markets.
Ståle Hansen, Skuld’s president and CEO, framed the changes as a natural evolution for a company that has grown significantly in both size and product breadth.
«As we move toward Skuld’s 130th year in operation, Skuld has never been stronger, both in size and in product expansion, and it is vital that our organisation evolves alongside our further growth ambitions.
Ståle Hansen·President and CEO, Skuld
The changes we are introducing will strengthen co-ordination across regions and products, improve how we deploy our expertise, and create an even stronger platform for future growth.
Ståle Hansen·President and CEO, Skuld
Regional consolidation to sharpen client focus
By consolidating regional teams under unified leadership, the company aims to reduce duplication, improve response times and deliver a more consistent client experience across geographies.
For the industry, the changes signal Skuld’s intent to remain a dominant player in marine insurance as the sector grapples with emerging risks, from decarbonisation challenges to geopolitical instability in key shipping lanes. The appointment of a dedicated CUO, in particular, underscores the company’s focus on underwriting excellence as a cornerstone of sustainable growth.
With the new structure now locked in for 1 November, Skuld’s clients and brokers can expect a more streamlined interface, while the company’s workforce will operate under clearer lines of accountability. The leadership transition in Hong Kong next September will mark the next milestone in Skuld’s evolution, as it continues to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing maritime landscape.
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