Energy trading firm Danske Commodities said on Tuesday that CEO Helle Østergaard Kristiansen will step down next year to take on a new executive role within its parent company Equinor, leading the Norwegian energy major’s global Gas & Power division.
Kristiansen, who has served as CEO of Danske Commodities for six years, will become Senior Vice President of Gas & Power at Equinor as of October 1, 2025. The division plays a central role in Equinor’s energy portfolio, accounting for $25.7 billion in revenues last year. As SVP, Kristiansen will be responsible for all of Equinor’s gas and power trading activities worldwide.
“After the energy crisis, Equinor has become the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe. That is an important responsibility, which I look forward to taking on,” Kristiansen said. “I’m excited to bring my experience into play in one of the world’s largest energy companies and to be working with Equinor’s global marketing and trading teams. And, of course, I’m also pleased to continue contributing to the development of Danske Commodities as Chair of the Board of Directors.”
Danske Commodities said Jakob Sørensen, its current CFO, will assume the role of CEO effective September 1, 2025. Sørensen, who has been with the company for two decades, joined as its fifth employee and has held several senior roles, including Chief Risk Officer and Vice President of Finance & Risk Management. He has served as CFO since 2022.
“I’m incredibly excited to take up the position as CEO of Danske Commodities,” Sørensen said. “The new energy reality has made our role as a global energy trader more important than ever before – and our strong relationship with Equinor gives Danske Commodities the opportunity to step up and become a world-leading energy trading company within our segment.”
Danske Commodities became a subsidiary of Equinor in 2019. Since then, it has overseen the Norwegian group’s power trading operations and manages third-party downstream gas storages. The collaboration has expanded to include major renewable energy projects such as the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm in the UK and the Bałtyk project in Poland.
“A tremendous recognition of the entire Danske Commodities organisation,” Kristiansen said of her new appointment. “The results we have delivered over the years have earned great respect and trust within Equinor. I am very proud of what our people have built, and I look forward to being part of Danske Commodities’ continued growth journey.”
