CEO Jørgen Jørgensen appointed new Director of Administration at Aarhus University

As of 1 April, a very experienced and routined leader will spearhead the administration at Aarhus University. On the recommendation of Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, the University Board decided at a meeting on 23 February to offer Jørgen Jørgensen, CEO at Rigshospitalet, the position of Director of Administration at Aarhus University. Mr Jørgensen (58) has many years of leadership experience in the public sector, the last 13 years of which as CEO at Rigshospitalet – Copenhagen University Hospital.

“The Board is unanimous in approving the Rectorate’s recommendation to offer Jørgen Jørgensen the position of Director of Administration,” says Jens Bigum, Chair of the Board at Aarhus University, who emphasises that the university has succeeded in finding a director with significant experience in the public sector.

“As members of the Board, we are very satisfied with the selection of Jørgen Jørgensen, whom I regard as being a particularly competent and responsible administrative leader. Mr Jørgensen has proved he can run a complex institution that, in terms of challenges and size, can be compared with Aarhus University. And his long-standing activities at Rigshospitalet, as well as positions of trusts at institutions such as the Copenhagen Business School, mean he is very familiar with the university world,” says the Chair of the Board.

In his capacity as Director of Administration, Mr Jørgensen will make up part of the Rectorate at Aarhus University, with Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen at the head, along with Pro-rector for Academic Affairs Nina Smith and Pro-rector for Strategic Affairs Søren E. Frandsen.

“I’m pleased that we’ve once more succeeded in attracting one of the very best public sector leaders in Denmark to Aarhus University. I have great confidence in Jørgen Jørgensen, who will definitely strengthen the strategic management and make the university an even more attractive workplace with an inspiring study and research environment. These are strengths that are crucial for a university that intends to reach out to all sectors of society and mingle with the top international universities,” says Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen.

As an individual and in his efforts, Mr Jørgensen does not make a great show of things or paint vivid pictures with words. However, he does not hesitate to take over when leadership is required. He will have a great deal of use for this capacity when he takes up office as the new Director of Administration at Denmark’s most extensive university.

“I look forward to making a start on the strategic challenges at Aarhus University. This is a very active and exciting workplace, with a strong academic environment, and I’ll be delighted to be part of it,” says Jørgen Jørgensen, the new Director of Administration.

Brief facts about Jørgen Jørgensen’s career

He graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1976 with an MSc in Economics ( cand.polit. ). Up until 1985, he worked as an administrator, first for the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and subsequently for the Ministry of Interior and Health (currently the Ministry of Welfare). He also acted as ministerial secretary at both places. In 1985, he moved to what was then the Municipality of Copenhagen’s Hospital Directorate, where he ended up as Head of Finances, responsible for the combined finances of the Copenhagen hospitals. In 1989, Mr Jørgensen took up office as CEO of Bispebjerg Hospital, a position he held until 1996, when he became CEO of Rigshospitalet – Copenhagen University Hospital. After 13 years in this post, he announced last November that he did not wish to renew his contract.

Download photo of Jørgen Jørgensen.

More information

Chair of the Board Jens Bigum, mobile +45 2014 4155
Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, mobile +45 2338 2126
Jørgen Jørgensen, mobile +45 4013 7769
or
Head of Press Affairs Anders Correll, mobile +45 2899 2235