Early Life
Petter Anker Stordalen Bjorvand was born in Porsgrunn, Norway, on November 29, 1962. He displayed an entrepreneurial spirit early, starting to sell strawberries at the local market at the age of 12. In 1974, he was recognized as Norway's top strawberry seller.
Rise to Success
Stordalen's career progressed from managing shopping centers to real estate development. At 24, he became the youngest shopping center manager in Norway. His expansion into the hotel industry marked a significant turning point. In 1996, he teamed up with investor Christen Sveaas and bought shares in Choice Hotels' Scandinavian operations.
Key Business Strategies
Stordalen's business strategy has been marked by rapid expansion, strategic acquisitions, and a focus on branding and customer experience. He transformed Choice Hotels Scandinavia into Nordic Choice Hotels, one of Scandinavia’s largest hotel chains with over 230 hotels and 17,000 employees. He has also focused on environmental sustainability and innovative guest experiences.
Philanthropy
Stordalen, along with his former wife, Gunhild Stordalen, established The Stordalen Foundation in 2011 to support initiatives related to environmental protection, climate change, and scientific research. They have donated substantial amounts to various charities and research programs in this area.
