Former Governors


The Svalbard Act from 1925 states that on Svalbard there shall be a "Sysselmann" (Governor) who is appointed by the King. "Sysselmann" means the highest ranking official and is an older Norwegian term for the King's represetative in the region. On 1 July 2021 the title was changed to "sysselmester" in Norwegian.

Published 6/24/2019, Updated 1/3/2023

These have been Governor of Svalbard since 1925:

2015 - 2021

   Kjerstin Askholt

2009 - 2015

   Odd Olsen Ingerø

2005 - 2009

   Per Sefland

2005

   Sven Ole Fagernæs

2001 - 2005

   Odd Olsen Ingerø

1998 - 2001

   Morten Ruud

1995 - 1998

   Ann-Kristin Olsen

1991 - 1995

   Odd Blomdal

1986 - 1991

   Leif Eldring

1982 - 1986

   Carl A. Wendt

1978 - 1982

   Jan S. Grøndahl

1974 - 1978

   Leif Eldring

1970 - 1974

   Frederik Beichmann

1967 - 1970

   Stephen Stephensen

1963 - 1967

   Tollef Landsverk

1960 - 1963

   Finn Backer Midbøe

1956 - 1960

   Odd Birketvedt

1945 - 1956

   Håkon Balstad

1935 - 1942

   Wolmer Marlow

1933 - 1935

   Helge Ingstad (deputy governor)

1932 - 1933

   Wolmer Marlow (acting governor)

1925 - 1935

   Johannes Gerckens Bassøe