The Norwegian Embassy in the United Kingdom is one of Norway's largest foreign missions. The ties between the two countries are strong and solid. The two nations enjoy a long-standing and close relationship in the political, economic and cultural fields.
The Embassy works in close contact with British and Norwegian official and private institutions as well as organisations and individuals. It also works closely with the London office of Innovation Norway (see below).
The Ambassador
H.E. Mr Kim Traavik
Telephone: 020 7591 5500
Fax: 020 7245 6993
E-mail: emb.london@mfa.no
The Ambassador's PA, Ms Inger Dybvig Færø
Telephone: 020 7591 5500
Fax: 020 7245 6993
E-mail: idyf@mfa.no
Political & Economic Section
The main tasks of the Political and Economic Section are to follow developments in UK policy, and to promote Norwegian interests in the UK. The Political and Economic Section reports regularly on domestic and foreign political developments in the UK, and follows in particular issues relevant to the bilateral relations between the UK and Norway. Policy issues of importance to Norway include international co-operation particularly in the UN, NATO and WTO, security policy, prevention of conflict, disarmament, petroleum and energy, environment, fisheries, R&D, social affairs, agriculture, labour relations and promotion of democracy, development and human rights. The section covers Britain's relations to the European Union in general, and, in particular, to the European Single Market and the European Economic Area agreement, which governs trade and other relations between Norway and EU member states. In addition, the section reports on constitutional and regional matters of interest, including devolution and the development in Northern Ireland. The section also provides a link between Norwegian central authorities and international organisations based in the UK. London hosting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and being a financial centre for the maritime industry, means maritime issues are important to this section. The main dialogue partner of the Political and Economic Section is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but interlocutors also include other relevant ministries and Government agencies, politicians, research institutions etc.
Enquiries to the Political and Economic Section:
Telephone: 020 7591 5500 (main switchboard)
Fax: 020 7245 6993
E-mail: emb.london@mfa.no
Minister, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of the Political and Economic Section:
Mr Olav Myklebust
E-mail: omy@mfa.no
Counsellor for Security and Defence Policy:
Mr Erling Alvestad
Email: eral@mfa.no
First Secretary, Political and Economic Section:
Ms Terese Holm
E-mail: tbn@mfa.no
First Secretary, Political and Economic Section:
Mr Anders Vethe
E-mail: anve@mfa.no
First Secretary, Political and Economic Section:
Ms Kristin Stockman
Email: krma@mfa.no
Press, Information and Cultural Section
This section promotes a wide range of Norwegian cultural events including concerts, exhibitions, lectures, festivals, and films, in close co-operation with a large number of British and Norwegian partners, e.g. government offices, cultural institutions, venues and organisers. Many of these events are listed in the Culture Calendar on the Culture pages, which the section produces and coordinates.
The section has close contact with British and international media covering Norway and Norwegian affairs from the UK. The section offers advice, information and sometimes financial support to British and international journalists and is regularly in contact with a large number of Norwegian correspondents covering British affairs and Norwegian-British events.
Members of the section provide information and distribute and loan books, brochures, posters, photographs, videos, DVDs, CDs etc. as well as information about Norway to schools at all levels. The section is responsible for the website www.norway.org.uk, which covers both the Embassy and the Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh.
Enquiries to the Press, Information and Cultural Section can be made to:
Telephone: 020 7591 5500 (main switchboard)
Fax: 020 7591 5550
E-mail: info.london@mfa.no
Head of Press, Information and Cultural Affairs:
Ms Eva M Vincent
E-mail: emv@mfa.no
Press and Cultural Office:
Ms Anne Ulset
Literature / Theatre / Film / Music / Dance / Crafts / Christmas Events
E-mail: aul@mfa.no
Ms Siri Aronsen
Design / Architecture / Arts / Fashion
E-mail: sa@mfa.no
Ms Nina Finnerud
Music / norway.org.uk / Social Media
E-mail: nifi@mfa.no
Information Office:
Mrs Berit Scott
General Enquiries / Education & Research
E-mail: bms@mfa.no
Trainee (Aug-Dec 2011):
Kristin Bentdal Larsen
Email: klar@mfa.no
Consular Section
The Embassy's Consular Section gives advice and assistance in matters such as issuing passports, granting visas and in legal matters regarding marriage, divorce, inheritance, pensions, social security and paternity cases.
The Section is also responsible for all maritime affairs with respect to the Norwegian Ship Registers, the signing on and off of seamen on board Norwegian-registered vessels, and maritime inquiries.
Enquiries by phone: 10.00-11.00 Monday-Friday.
Visa appointments and visa collections: 11.00-12.00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Passport appointments, Norwegian passport collections and other inquiries: 13.30-15.00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Wednesdays are closed for customers.
Telephone: 020 7591 5500
Fax: 020 7591 5547
E-mail: konsulat.london@mfa.no
Consul: Ms Grethe Knudsen
Telephone: 020 7591 5500
E-mail: konsulat.london@mfa.no
Administrative Section
The Administrative Section has responsibilities relating to budgeting, buildings and personnel.
Enquiries to the Administrative Section can be made to:
Telephone: 020 7591 5500 (main switchboard)
Fax: 020 7245 6993
Counsellor: Ms Tove S. Iversen
E-mail: tsi@mfa.no
Administrative Officer: Mrs Anne Margrethe Esmaeili
E-mail: anne.margrethe.esmaeili@mfa.no
Administrative Officer: Mr Gunnar Moberg
E-mail: gunnar.moberg@mfa.no
Accountant: Mrs Kirsti Clark
E-mail: kicl@mfa.no
Building and Facilities Officer: Mr Odd B. Bjørvik
E-mail: odd.bjorvik@mfa.no
ICT Manager: Mr Åsmund Moe
E-mail: aam@mfa.no
Reception & Switchboard: Mr Petter M. Ree
Email: petter.ree@mfa.no
Defence Attaché
The Defence Attaché covers UK and Irish defence issues of interest to Norway. The Defence Attaché also keeps the UK and Irish Defence authorities updated on Norwegian defence matters and policies. The office assists Norwegian military industry and is the point of contact regarding all visits to UK military establishments.
Defence Attaché:
Colonel Knut H. Hamre
Telephone: 020 7591 5540
Fax: 020 7591 5552
E-mail: khh@mfa.no
Administrative Officer, Office of the Defence Attaché:
Ms Siv Eide
Telephone: 020 7591 5540
Fax: 020 7591 5552
E-mail: siei@mfa.no
Office of the Police Attaché
The police and customs authorities of the Nordic countries have established positions of police liaisons in London and other capitals to help combat international and organised crime with connections to the Nordic region. These liaisons represent the sending state within their area of responsibility. As part of this co-operation a Norwegian police officer is member of the Embassy's diplomatic staff with the title of police attaché.
Telephone: 020 7591 5500
Commercial Affairs and Tourism - Innovation Norway
The Embassy works closely with Innovation Norway, a government-owned company dealing with trade and tourism. Innovation Norway provides services to Norwegian companies approaching British and Irish markets, as well as information to British companies, media, students or individuals interested in doing business with Norway.
Innovation Norway is responsible for promoting both business and leisure travel from the UK to Norway and provides a wide range of marketing support services as well as supporting
nationwide industrial development and global growth.
Enquiries to Innovation Norway:
Telephone: 020 7389 8800
Fax: 020 7973 0189
E-mail: london@innovationnorway.no
General Manager: Ms Hilde Hukkelberg
E-mail: hilde.hukkelberg@innovationnorway.no
Head of Tourism: Ms Catherine Foster
E-mail: catherine.foster@innovationnorway.no
PR Manager, Tourism: Ms Hanne Knudsen
Email: Hanne.Knudsen@innovationnorway.no