The Executive Leadership Team is responsible for the company’s business management, financial reporting, acquisitions /disposals, financing and communication and other corporate matters.
The members of the Executive Leadership Team are appointed by the President in consultation with the Board of Directors. Only the President reports to the Board, although the other members of the Executive Leadership Team reports to the President.
The responsibilities of the Executive Leadership Team are divided among its members with regard to managing the company’s business affairs, and minuted meetings are normally held every second week.
Anko van der Werff, born 1975.
President & Chief Executive Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since July 15, 2021.
Previously: CEO of Avianca 2019-2021. Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Aeroméxico 2014-2019. Several leading management positions at Qatar Airways and AirFrance KLM 2006-2014.
External directorships: None.
Education: Law degree Leiden University. Executive degree Harvard Business School.
Shareholding: None.
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since April, 2022.
Previously: Has held positions both as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Finnair. Recently he also held a position as Executive Vice President at Saudi Arabian Airlines.
External directorships: None.
Education: MSc. in Economics and Business Administration from University of Tampere.
Shareholding: None.
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since May 1, 2023.
Previously: Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technical at British Airways, Director of Engineering and Maintenance at TUI.
External directorships: Non Exec Director at Dublin Aerospace Limited.
Education: Applied Management, University of Warwick. Management, leadership and engagement, IMD.
Shareholding: None.
Executive Vice President Airline Services. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since October 1, 2019.
Previously: Vice President SAS Ground Handling and several previous senior positions at SAS. Before being recruited to SAS in 2004, worked as a management consultant.
External directorships: Board member of Federation of Norwegian Aviation industries (NHO Luftfart).
Education: Executive MBA, Master in Strategic Management from Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).
Shareholding: 25,000 common shares.
Paul Verhagen, born 1971.
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since September 4, 2023.
Previously: Deputy CEO at Iberojet Airlines 2020-2023. Senior Vice President International Sales and Commercial Strategy at Aeromexico 2016-2020. Several leadership positions at Air Berlin and Air France KLM 2000-2016.
External directorships: None.
Education: International MBA IE University, executive programs at Nijenrode University, HEC Paris, Cornell University.
Shareholding: None.
Erik Westman, born 1981.
Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since June 27, 2022.
Previously: Vice President Revenue Management at SAS 2017-22. Vice President Group Strategy at SAS 2014-17. Worked at McKinsey before joining SAS in 2013.
External directorships: None.
Education: M. Sc. In Engineering Physics from KTH, Stockholm. Exchange studies at Stanford University.
Shareholding: None.
Anna Almén, born 1970.
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since 1 January, 2024.
Previously: Vice President General Counsel, SAS Group.
External directorships: None.
Education: University of Stockholm, Sweden: Jurist kandidatexamen (LLM). University of Nottingham, England: Master of International Commercial Law.
Shareholding: None.
Pernille Ormholt Vang, born 1977.
Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President. Member of SAS Executive Leadership Team since January 1, 2024.
Previously: Regional Head of HR Maersk Asia Pacific Region 2020-2023, Regional Head of HR Maersk West Central Asia Region 2017-2020, Head of HQ HR & HR Legal A.P. Moller - Maersk 2015-2017. Prior to this several HR leadership positions at A.P. Moller – Maersk and experience from external consulting.
External directorships: None.
Education: Master in Psychology & Business Studies, Roskilde University.
Shareholding: None.