Johan H. Andresen is the Chairman of the Board of Ferd, which is fully owned by him and his family. He is the 5th generation of owners and entrepreneurs. He has an MBA from Erasmus, Rotterdam School of Management, and a BA from Dartmouth College.
Ferd is one of the largest privately held industrial and financial groups in Norway. The company has it origins all the way back to 1849 when Johan’s great-great-grandfather bought a tobacco company called Tiedemanns. In the later 1990’s Tiedemanns was sold and Ferd was established. Today, Ferd has six business areas, out of which five are fully commercial and one is dedicated to social entrepreneurs. The business area for social entrepreneurs has a goal to prevent social exclusion and work for a broader inclusion to society. As of December 2021, the portfolio has about 20 active engagements, from early-stage social entrepreneurs, Social Impact Bonds, to social investment funds. Ferd contributes with financial and non-financial support to help the social entrepreneurs succeed in their marked.
Ferd’s value adjusted equity was USD 5,0 billion at 30.06.21. Sales of controlled and associated companies are approx. USD 3,5 billion (2020) and employs approx. 11 000 people (2021).
Johan is also Chair, Council on Ethics, Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Directorships include NMI-Norwegian Microfinance Initiative, which he launched together with the Government of Norway, and JA Europe.