May Kristin Haugen, Chief HR & Communication Officer, Aktiv Kapital ASA
Leaving Telenor to become Aktiv Kapital’s first director of Human Resources was an opportunity that May Kristin Haugen couldn’t refuse.
“I had previously spent a number of years in large organisations, but I felt I wanted the chance to come to a medium-sized, but fast-growing and dynamic organisation,” May Kristin explained. “This was the first time the company had created the position of HR director, but with the speed of growth it was a vital role if we were to both bring in new talent and nurture and motivate those employees already at Aktiv Kapital.”
Her task was to create a corporate human resources department focusing on a few selected common group processes that empowers employees and leaders to develop each other and the organisation. “An important part of a corporate role HR is to act as a positive enabler to the subsidiary companies rather than operating in an authoritarian way, sending orders that stifle their own operational skills,” she explains. “At the same time I saw the need to ensure that methods and practices that work well in one country can be replicated – albeit with a local twist – in another. Best practice is fundamental to the success of Aktiv Kapital and HR can help in this process.”
Changes have taken place throughout the company, as May Kristin points out. “There have been positive developments at all the operating companies and they are most certainly a result of the flat structure at Aktiv Kapital which allows for swift implementation of new practices – and this is combined with a company philosophy that empowers employees to take ownership of tasks and drive them forward.”
A real advantage for employees working at Aktiv Kapital at every level is the informal yet energetic atmosphere across all of the offices. “I think this is due to the excitement of working for a company that is growing fast and being successful. The feeling is infectious.”
May Kristin concludes: “I know that Aktiv Kapital is a great company to work for – whether in Canada, Spain, or any of our other offices. The opportunities are there and success is always well recognised. I hope I see many more people coming on board in the coming months and years.”