Anne Nørklit Lønborg is a new member of the UFDS board, thus adding a new skill set to workings of the group. Anne has already taken on several IT-related tasks and is looking forward to the strategic collaboration with the rest of the board.
In September 2024, Anne Nørklit Lønborg joined the board of the Danish Shipowners’ Accident Insurance Association. She brings with her an education as a mathematician and more than 30 years of experience with IT, most recently from eight years at the insurance company Tryg, the last six of which serving as CIO.
Anne Nørklit Lønborg has also become acquainted with the shipping industry through two and a half years on the board of Maersk Brokers, giving her good insight into the industry. It also kindled a maritime flare, so when the opportunity to become part of UFDS presented itself, hesitation was not an issue.
»I think this post unites things very well; that is, my experience from Tryg and the insurance industry on one hand, and my insight into the shipping industry on the other. On top of that I have the IT skills sought after by the board, so I think it's a good match,« she says.
A former elite handball player, Anne Nørklit Lønborg describes herself as a strong team player very much able to relate to the UFDS' musketeers code of 'One for all, all for one'.
»I really appreciate the whole line of thinking supporting that statement. It is about all of us contributing and sharing a common overall goal of preventing accidents and taking good care of injured employees, regardless of nationality. It fits really well with my team spirit,« she says.
From an IT perspective it is not difficult for Anne Nørklit Lønborg to spot the tasks ahead. Some are actually quite close, for example the implementation of the so-called DORA regulation, which came into force on 17 January, just as the EU's AI Act and Open Insurance are on their way, cf. the fact box at the bottom of the page.
Happy to get a feel for the shipping industry again
A board evaluation and an external consultant report earlier in 2024 highlighted the strategic IT competencies that Anne Nørklit Lønborg brings with her as a current need in the organization. This particular skill set secured her election to the board, as chairman of the board Lars Henneberg explains.
»We need to be able to understand the business from a digital angle, also from a risk-based point of view, allowing us to identify the biggest risks in relation to being a well-run company. And then we have to find out how to mitigate these risks – the board has a responsibility to ensure that the day-to-day management has the right tools at hand, and that the members' contributions are properly utilized,« he says.
Lars Henneberg emphasizes Anne Nørklit Lønborg's experience from her time in Tryg as essential, for example in relation to making UFDS compliant to DORA. To this end, policies on ICT risks have been upgraded, and the duty to notify the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has been reviewed.
»As an organization, UFDS must exercise due diligence in relation to crisis management, so it is important to secure the framework for our IT systems. This provides us with an estimate on how long we can withstand a breakdown and what requirements we must make of third parties, and that we are sure that such agreements have not led to additional risks,« she says.
Anne Nørklit Lønborg is also thrilled to get a feel for the shipping industry again, praising the sector for being a bit traditional on the one hand, while also showing a great desire to stay up to date and, for example, become more digital, with major players such as A.P. Moller-Maersk very much at the forefront.
Awaiting IT challenges:
The DORA regulation – the Digital Operational Resilience Act is intended to strengthen the digital operational resilience of the financial sector, including insurance companies. Read more here.
The EU's AI Act – the world's first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence to regulate AI to create better conditions for the development and use of the technology. Read more here.
Open Insurance – covers solutions related to access to and sharing of insurance-related personal and non-personal data. In the insurance sector, it can increase efficiency and interaction with third parties, among other things. Read more here.
Looking forward to strategic issues
In addition to the IT-related challenges and issues, Anne Nørklit Lønborg also has a good eye for some of the other elements that – in her view – make shipping not only exciting, but also a very potential-filled industry.
»From a diversity point of view, there is room for improvement considering how relatively few women there are among seafarers worldwide, including on Danish ships – even though things are improving. So, there is an important and interesting task in making shipping more attractive to women,« she says.
»It’s limited what I can do about that challenge, but I’ve started with this board position,« she adds with a smile.
In addition, Anne Nørklit Lønborg highlights the entire ESG agenda, acknowledging the great responsibility the shipping industry has taken in trying to solve some of the issues it faces, not least when it comes to the ships' CO2 emissions.
»The shipping companies are constantly experimenting with reducing their footprint, and that is a big, noble purpose. I don't think I can come up with another industry as exposed to ESG as shipping,« she says.
With this in mind, Anne Nørklit Lønborg is looking forward to setting a strategy for the coming time together with the entire board, well-orchestrated by the new UFDS director, Christina Bustrup, with whom she also has a common past in Tryg, although not as direct colleagues.
»We certainly have a shared frame of reference, which is why I am really happy to join UFDS now, at a time when we can really gaze far ahead on behalf of the company. It's always nice as a board member to be able to influence the long-term future,« Anne Nørklit Lønborg says.
As an example, she again points to the DORA regulation, which – even though it came into force only last week – will probably be a topic for the board for a few years to come. It will take some time for the shipping companies to gain experience in concretizing the efforts in the area all the way from the board to the operational implementation
»Personally, I also have a goal of learning a lot about running a board from Lars Henneberg and Anne Steffensen, who I think are really good as chair and vice chair, respectively. In general, I think there is a really good tone and good cooperation throughout the board, and I think that is just as important as having the right skills,« she concludes.
»As an organization, UFDS must exercise due diligence in relation to crisis management, so it is important to secure the framework for our IT systems.«
Anne Nørklit Lønborg, board member, UFDS
