Örn Guðmundsson has been appointed Director of Finance and Operations at the University of Iceland.
Örn graduated with a Cand.oecon. degree in Economics from the University of Iceland in 1996, and earned an MSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School in 1998. He brings 25 years of leadership and management experience, having served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director in large organisations. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for budgeting, financing, risk management and organisational development.
Örn served as Chief Executive Officer of Mannvit hf. from 2018 to 2023 and subsequently as Chief Executive Officer of COWI Iceland from 2023 to 2024. Earlier, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Mannvit hf. from 2015 to 2018 and as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Kaupthing hf. from 2009 to 2015. Örn is a member of the Board of Directors of Landsbankinn, where he has chaired both the Audit and Risk Committees. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Strætó bs., the public transport company jointly owned by the Icelandic state and municipalities in the capital region.
"It is a great honour to join the University of Iceland and contribute to the important work carried out here in the service of education, research and society. I look forward to getting to know the University's talented staff and to working with them on the continued development of the University, maintaining sound operations and providing excellent services to the university community," says Örn Guðmundsson.
"We at the University of Iceland are fortunate to welcome such an experienced leader as Örn. He will succeed Guðmundur Ragnar Jónsson, who will retire at the end of the year. It is invaluable that they will be able to work together over the coming months, as the University's operations are both extensive and complex. I look forward to working with Örn to strengthen the University's operations and make an excellent workplace even better," says Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland.
The Director of Finance and Operations leads part of the University of Iceland's central administration on behalf of the Rector. The position oversees the Finance Division, the Facilities and Technical Services Division, the Human Resources Division, and Information Technology Services.
Örn has already taken up his post.