Danske Commodities appoints new CEO

After six years as CEO of Danske Commodities, Helle Østergaard Kristiansen will take on a new responsibility as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Gas & Power at Equinor, the parent company of Danske Commodities.  

As SVP, Gas & Power at Equinor, one of the world’s largest energy companies, Helle Østergaard Kristiansen will become responsible for all power and gas trading activities globally. Gas & Power represents a critical and profitable business cluster in Equinor as the market-facing entity for all gas and power, with total revenues of USD 25.7 billion last year. In this position, Helle Østergaard Kristiansen will take the lead of an energy portfolio that is crucial to European security of supply.   

“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. As part of my new role, I will also be responsible for Equinor’s power trading activities. 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,” said Helle Østergaard Kristiansen.  

Current CFO Jakob Sørensen will take over as new CEO of Danske Commodities as of 1 September 2025. As CFO since 2022, Jakob Sørensen is part of the executive management, partaking in all board meetings and acting as a close advisor to the CEO.  

Besides an in-depth knowledge of Danske Commodities’ strategy, financials and day-to-day operations, Jakob Sørensen is one of the longest-standing employees in the company. He joined as employee number five 20 years ago as a power trader, working his way up to Deputy Vice President Trading. After more than ten years in Danske Commodities’ core trading business, Jakob took over as Chief Risk Officer before stepping up as CFO, VP of Finance & Risk Management.    

“I’m incredibly excited to take up the position as CEO of Danske Commodities. 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. That’s a big motivation for me as the new CEO, and certainly for our skilled people." 

Danske Commodities became part of Equinor in 2019. Following a successful integration process, Danske Commodities is today responsible for all Equinor’s power trading activities and third-party downstream gas storages.  

“Most importantly, I see my new responsibility as a tremendous recognition of the entire Danske Commodities organisation. 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,” ended Helle Østergaard Kristiansen.  

Since the acquisition, the strong relationship between Danske Commodities and Equinor has resulted in collaboration on groundbreaking renewables projects, like Dogger Bank, the 3.6 GW offshore wind project in the UK, and Bałtyk, the 3 GW offshore wind project in Poland.   

Facts about the CEO move

• Jakob Sørensen will take over as CEO of Danske Commodities as of 1 September 2025.
• Helle Østergaard Kristiansen will step into a new role as SVP, Gas & Power at Equinor and Chair of the Board of Directors at Danske Commodities as of 1 October 2025.
• A new CFO will be appointed later on.  

Downloads

• English press release
• Danish press release