Early Life
Stein Erik Hagen was born in Oslo, Norway, on July 22, 1956. He co-founded the RIMI discount store chain with his father in the 1970s. He studied at the Retail Institute, now part of the BI Norwegian Business School.
Rise to Success
Hagen's career began with the founding of RIMI, which was instrumental in building his fortune. He sold his shares in RIMI to Swedish ICA and Ahold in the 2000s. He then invested a significant portion of the proceeds into Orkla, where he currently serves as chairman and holds a significant stake. Hagen's investments extend to Steen & Strøm, Jernia, and Komplett through his family company, Canica. In 2014, Hagen appointed his daughter, Caroline Marie Hagen Kjos, to take over the family's investment company, Canica AS.
Key Business Strategies
Hagen's key strategies involve acquiring and developing companies with strong brand identities and consumer appeal. Orkla, under Hagen's leadership, focuses on branded consumer goods and operates in the Nordic region, the Baltics, and other areas. Orkla's portfolio includes numerous market-leading companies across various sectors.
Philanthropy
Stein Erik Hagen has been involved in various philanthropic activities and has served on the boards of charitable foundations. He is also a board member of the Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation in New York and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, USA. In 2016, he donated his art collection, valued at $120 million, to a museum in Norway.
