New Executive Vice President and new Senior Vice President, Communication at Orkla ASA

 Orkla's Group Executive Board's expertise in the field of strategic HR is being strengthened. Karin Aslaksen has been appointed as a new Executive Vice President of Orkla ASA. Furthermore, Johan Chr. Hovland has been appointed new Senior Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs.

Karin Aslaksen (50) will join Orkla ASA's Group Executive Board as the new Executive Vice President in charge of strategic HR and communication. She comes from the position of Senior Vice President, HR/EHS at Elkem, where she has played a key role in implementing the Elkem Business System (EBS), which is based on a lean philosophy that has been adopted by several of Orkla's other businesses.

"Orkla is an international company and 80% of its employees are located outside Norway. Targeted, strategic HR work is a crucial success factor for the Group's further development. Karin Aslaksen will bring new vigor to this work," says Bjørn M. Wiggen, Orkla President and CEO.

Executive Vice President Hilde Myrberg will take up a new position as Senior Vice President for Corporate Governance.

Johan Chr. Hovland (46) has been appointed Senior Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs at Orkla ASA. He comes from the position of Senior Vice President, Energy and Public Affairs at Elkem. Mr Hovland will retain his role as head of Elkem Energi.

"Orkla intends to step up the pace of the Group's structural development. We therefore particularly need to strengthen the Group's competence in the field of public affairs. Given his background in both a government ministry and the Federation of Norwegian Industries, Johan Chr. Hovland has broad experience in this field. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ole Kristian Lunde for his many years of work as Orkla's Senior Vice President, Communications, and wish him every success with new challenges," says Bjørn M. Wiggen.

Johan Chr. Hovland will report to Karin Aslaksen. These changes will take effect as from 1 January.

Oslo, 13 December 2010

Contact persons:

Bjørn M. Wiggen, President and CEO, Orkla ASA, tel.: +47 22 54 40 00

Rune Helland, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Orkla ASA, tel.: +47 22 54 44 11