Kai G. Henriksen facts for kids

Kai Henning Gjesdal Henriksen (born May 21, 1956 – died May 27, 2016) was a well-known businessman from Norway. He was also a politician for the Conservative Party of Norway. For many years, he was the boss (Chief Executive Officer, or CEO) of Storebrand Bank. From 2006 until he passed away in 2016, Henriksen was the CEO of AS Vinmonopolet. This is a special company in Norway that sells wine and spirits, and it's owned by the government.

Early Life and Education

Kai Henriksen served in the Royal Norwegian Navy from 1975 to 1976. This was part of his mandatory military service. He studied at the University of Oslo from 1978 to 1984. During this time, he earned a degree called cand.polit. He also worked as a journalist for a local newspaper, Østlandets Blad.

While studying French in Tours, France, in the early 1980s, Henriksen discovered his interest in wine.

Political Career

From 1984 to 1986, Henriksen was the leader of the Young Conservatives. This is the youth group of the Conservative Party. In 1986, he worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a private secretary (now called a political adviser) for the foreign minister, Svenn Stray.

Henriksen also served as a backup representative in the Parliament of Norway. He represented the area of Akershus from 1985 to 1989. Later, from 1986 to 1988, he was a political adviser to the head of the Conservative Party, Rolf Presthus. He also advised Minister of Trade Kaci Kullmann Five from 1989 to 1990.

Business Leadership

Henriksen continued his education at Harvard Business School from 1990 to 1992. There, he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. In 1991, he worked as a summer trainee at Procter & Gamble in Stockholm. From 1992 to 1995, he was a project leader at McKinsey & Company. In this role, he helped companies with their plans and growth.

After that, Henriksen was the market director at Avanse Forvaltning AS until 1997. In 1997, he became the CEO of Storebrand Bank. He led this bank until 2003. From 2003 to 2006, Henriksen was the CEO of a law firm called DLA Nordic DA.

Leading Vinmonopolet

In August 2006, Kai Henriksen became the new CEO of Vinmonopolet. The company needed a new leader at that time.

As CEO, Henriksen was very focused on the company's "social responsibility." This meant making sure that young people could not easily get alcohol. He also wanted Vinmonopolet to be so successful that its special role as a government-owned company would continue. He believed the company had to "earn the support of the people."

Henriksen encouraged other leaders at Vinmonopolet to work in the stores. He did this himself at least three times a year. He made changes to improve conditions for employees and help them learn new skills. Many people thought he was the best director the company had ever had.

Customers generally liked the changes under Henriksen's leadership. Some people who used to criticize Vinmonopolet even said it might become the "world's leading wine store." In 2008, Arne Ronold (a Master of Wine) noted that the company was improving.

In August 2010, Henriksen earned an advanced diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. He was the first managing director of Vinmonopolet to get such a wine education.

Later Years

Kai Henriksen was diagnosed with cancer in November 2014. He stepped down from his role at Vinmonopolet in March 2016. He passed away on May 27, 2016, at his home in Oslo.