About

Currently holding the position as group legal counsel for Norsk Gjenvinning Norge, Tor Olav Carlsen believes he gained experience for this role through his previous position as process operator for Alcoa Norway during his studies to become a lawyer. ‘From this moment, I learned to work together with industry blue collar workers, including understanding their ways of communication and needs on a daily basis’ he explains. Carlsen spent seven years working for high-end law firm, BA-HR with a focus on dispute resolution, employment pensions, M&A and private equity. On the thought process behind going in-house, he claims he wanted to work more closely with other groups of employees within a number of specialities and to participate closely in business decisions. He made the switch to the in-house sector recently, assuming his current position in 2016. Even though his in-house career is fledgling he has already contributed a number of projects that have been implemented within the business. Carlsen has participated in a special steering committee together with the senior management, chairman of the board and representatives of the owners working to follow up and improve the group’s achievements with regards to their pre-set overall performance goals. He has also been working as project manager in connection with restructuring of the Norsk Gjenvinning Norge production facilities, which entails interaction with other groups of specialised employees. He admits the preceding has propelled him into his in-house career by ‘giving me first hand insight of the business and being able to participate in strategic business discussions’