Early Life
Stein Erik Hagen was born on July 22, 1956, in Oslo, Norway. He pursued his education at Kjøpmannsinsituttet, now part of BI Norwegian Business School. Hagen's entrepreneurial journey began in the 1970s when he co-founded the RIMI discount store chain with his father, Odd Hagen.
Rise to Success
Hagen's success is largely attributed to his strategic investments and business acumen. After establishing RIMI, he sold his stake in the 2000s to Swedish ICA and Ahold. He then reinvested a significant portion of the proceeds into Orkla, where he currently holds a major shareholder position and serves as Chairman. Through Canica AS, Hagen has expanded his investments across various sectors, including retail, real estate, and finance.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy for Hagen has been focusing on consumer goods and building long-term value. His investments are primarily within manufacturing, retail and real estate sectors. Canica AS, focuses on creating long-term value through the ownership of companies with international potential. Hagen's ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities has been crucial to his success.
Philanthropy
Hagen is involved in philanthropy. In 2007, Hagen donated 100 million kroner to research at the University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet. He also contributed to the renovation of the Holmenkollen Museum and has given donations for a professorship at the BI Norwegian Business School.
