'World's best CEO’ named distinguished alumnus at the University of Copenhagen
Honour
Lars Rebien Sørensen, one of Denmark's most successful business leaders, is now a distinguished alumnus at the University of Copenhagen. He joins several other prominent alumni such as Søren Ulrik Thomsen, Bodil Nyboe Andersen and Stine Bosse.They have all been honoured for their outstanding contribution to their professional field and have demonstrated commitment and loyalty to the University.
“There is no doubt that in honouring Lars Rebien, the University of Copenhagen will get a distinguished alumnus who, with his impressive career, can help strengthen the relations between the University and the business world," Prorector Lykke Friis says.
Strong bond
Throughout his career Lars Rebien Sørensen has maintained a close affiliation with the University of Copenhagen and, with a persistent voice, he has underpinned the importance of strong Danish universities which can hold their own in the competition with leading international universities and research institutions.
On the basis of a degree in natural sciences, Lars Rebien Sørensen has built an outstanding career nationally and internationally – most recently evidenced by his Harvard Business Review award as the world’s best-performing CEO two years in a row.
Foto: Novo Nordisk.
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A forestry graduate who ended up at Novo
Lars Rebien Sørensen joined Novo Nordisk in 1982 as an MSc forestry graduate from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, now part of the University of Copenhagen. He originally wanted to be a forest supervisor, but his Novo job in enzymes marketing became the stepping stone to a long and glorious career in one of Denmark's largest and most reputed businesses.
While studying for a graduate diploma in international trade, Lars Rebien climbed the career ladder, joining the executive board in 1994. From 2000 till 2017, he was in charge of the Danish pharmaceutical giant, which today is one of Denmark's most valuable companies. After stepping down as CEO of Novo Nordisk, Lars Rebien Sørensen has, among other things, been appointed the Danish government's special envoy in the efforts to bring the European Medicines Agency to Denmark.
Coach for young scientists
In 2008, Lars Rebien Sørensen was appointed affiliate professor at Forest & Landscape at the University of Copenhagen. The appointment marked a long-standing collaboration between the then Faculty of Life Sciences and the Novo Nordisk CEO, while also being a sign of the ambition to link the university's study programmes even more closely to practice and business.
Lars Rebien Sørensen collaborated with the university to kick-start the Young Investigator Network, which supports talented young researchers who are passionate about business partnerships. He acted as a coach for the young researchers during the first years and has since passed on the baton to other external coaches.
“With Lars Rebien Sørensen, the University of Copenhagen will have a distinguished alumnus who has provided, and without doubt will continue to provide, a dedicated effort for the university and for the development of Danish research and education. The new distinguished alumnus is a strong international profile who has a considerable community spirit and is a role model for students at the university," it says in the university's recommendation of Lars Rebien Sørensen.
Contact
University of Copenhagen Alumni Association
Senior Consultant Lisbeth Ihlemann
Tel.: + 45 35 32 39 55
Mobile: + 45 21 22 49 55
Email: lii@adm.ku.dk
Related News
Contact
University of Copenhagen Alumni Association
Senior Consultant Lisbeth Ihlemann
Tel.: + 45 35 32 39 55
Mobile: + 45 21 22 49 55
Email: lii@adm.ku.dk
The alumnus award at UCPH
The title of distinguished alumnus is awarded as a recognition of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their professional field, and who have displayed particular commitment and loyalty to the University. Previously awarded distinguished alumni include e.g. Søren Ulrik Thomsen, Bodil Nyboe Andersen and Jan Leschly (articles in danish). The distinguished alumnus of the year is appointed by the University of Copenhagen.
CV
Lars Rebien Sørensen (born 10 October 1954) came to Novo in 1982, from 1989 as the head of international enzyme sales. After a number of postings abroad he was called home from the USA in 1994 to be the executive vice president in charge of the entire Health Care business.
In 2000, after the split into Novo Nordisk A/S (Health Care) and Novozymes A/S (enzymes), Lars Rebien Sørensen became the Chief Executive Officer of Novo Nordisk A/S; he left this position at the end of 2016.
Education
1981: MSc Forestry from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
1983: Graduate Diploma in International Trade from Copenhagen Business School
Positions of trust
Deputy chairman of the Board of Directors for Carlsberg
The Danish government's special envoy for EMA - The European Medicines Agency
Board member of American Thermo Fisher Scientific in USA
Honours and awards
In 2015 and 2016, Lars Rebien Sørensen was named the world's best-performing CEO by the American magazine Harvard Business Review.
Knight of the order of Dannebrog
Knight of the French Legion of Honour