Hörður Sigurgestsson
 Hörður Sigurgestsson     (businessman) | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 June 1938 Reykjavík |
| Died | 22 April 2019 (Age 80) |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Alma mater | Iceland School of Commerce, University of Iceland, Wharton School |
| Party | Independence Party (Iceland) |
For many years one of the most influential individuals in Icelandic business. | |
Hörður Sigurgestsson was an Icelandic businessman and CEO of the shipping company Eimskip for twenty-one years or from 1979-2000. The company often went by the name of "the Octopus", since its empire seemed to stretch its tentacles far and wide. Hörður was one of the most influential men in Icelandic business for many years. He attended the 1989 Bilderberg meeting.
He attended a meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society, without apparently being full member.[1]
Background
Hörður Sigurgestsson was the son of the married couple Sigurgest Guðjónsson, a car mechanic, and Vigdís Hansdóttir. Hörður graduated from the Iceland School of Commerce in 1958 and Business Administration from the University of Iceland in 1965. He was chairman of the Student Council of the University of Iceland from 1960-1962.
He got an MBA in 1968 from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in the United States.
Career
In 1965-1966 he was an executive at the book publisher Almenna bókafélagið, helped founded by Bjarni Benediktsson. Hörður joined the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Affairs in 1968 and remained there until 1974 when he became director of the Icelandair finance division and held that position until he was appointed CEO of the shipping company Eimskipafélag Íslands in 1979. He stepped down as CEO in 2000.
He was on the Board of Icelandair 1984-2004, of which he was chairman of the board 1991-2004.[2]
For some time Hörður took an active part in the work of the Independence Party, and was earlier was on the board of its youth group.
Hörður sat on many boards, committees and councils for the public, private companies and associations. He was a member of the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the Employers' Association and the Symphony Orchestra, where he was chairman of the board for a while.
Hörður sat on the University Council of the University of Iceland as a representative of national life 1999-2003 and chaired the Board of the National Library-University library from 2003-2008. In November 2008 he was made an honorary Doctor of the University of Iceland.[3]
Hörður was for many years one of the most influential individuals in Icelandic business. He led the shipping company Eimskipafélag Íslands through major changes and during his tenure as CEO, the company's operations abroad increased, the containerisation of transport began, the company's port was built up and much more. A business empire associated with Eimskipafélagið often went by the name of "the octopus" and it seemed descriptive of the empire that seemed to stretch its tentacles far and wide. Björn Bjarnason, former member of Parliament and Minister, believed "that for years no important issue has been brought to light in Icelandic business, without Hörður coming to it directly or indirectly."[4]
Event Participated in
| Event | Start | End | Location(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilderberg/1989 | 12 May 1989 | 14 May 1989 | Spain La Toja Island Galicia | 37th Bilderberg meeting, 110 guests |
