Copenhagen, Denmark – January 2026 — Ørsted has appointed Simon Ashley as its next Chief HR Officer and member of the Group Executive Team, effective 1 August 2026. The appointment follows a planned succession process as Henriette Fenger Ellekrog, current Chief HR Officer, has decided to conclude her executive career.
Henriette has served as Ørsted’s Chief HR Officer since June 2019. Over the past seven years, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening Ørsted as an attractive workplace and in driving organisational efficiency to support competitiveness across the company.
Rasmus Errboe, Group President and CEO of Ørsted, says:
“Henriette has been a key force in shaping what Ørsted is today and what we aspire to become. As Chief HR Officer, she’s spearheaded efforts to ensure Ørsted remains an attractive workplace where talent can thrive, and she’s led essential work to strengthen our organisational efficiency, which is a foundation for improving our competitiveness.
“While I’m sorry to see her leave, I fully respect her decision that now is the right time for her to make a change in her working life. I want to thank Henriette for her significant contributions to Ørsted and for ensuring a smooth and timely process for finding her successor.”
Ørsted’s new Chief HR Officer
Simon Ashley will step into the role of Chief HR Officer and join the Group Executive Team on 1 August 2026. He joins Ørsted after more than 18 years with BP, most recently as Senior Vice President of People & Culture for two divisions (Gas & Low Carbon Energy and Supply, Trading & Shipping) and Enabling Functions, covering approximately 15,000 employees across the globe. At BP, he has been responsible for delivering large-scale global transformations across the organisation, including people, culture, and workplace change.
Rasmus Errboe says:
“I’m incredibly pleased to welcome Simon to Ørsted. His extensive experience in a global, complex organisation, his track record of leading change, and his strong people‑leadership capabilities will be essential as we deliver on our strategy. I look very much forward to partnering with him as we further strengthen our culture, develop Ørsted as the leading workplace for talent in offshore wind, and build a strong foundation for the exciting years we have ahead of us.”
Simon Ashley says:
“I’m truly proud and excited to be joining Ørsted, the world leader in offshore wind. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Group Executive Team and the People & Culture team as we help colleagues across Ørsted implement the new strategy and continue to champion the energy transition.”
Closing an executive chapter
Although Henriette is stepping down from executive leadership, she will continue her professional journey by focusing on non-executive roles.
Henriette Fenger Ellekrog says:
“After more than 20 years as a Chief HR Officer in four different companies, and as I turn 60 this year, it feels like the right time for me to conclude my executive career. It hasn’t been an easy decision, mostly because of all the great colleagues at Ørsted whom I’ll miss deeply. I look forward to focusing my time on nonexecutive directorship opportunities, drawing on my experience to contribute in new ways.”
Henriette Fenger Ellekrog will step down from her position by 1 June 2026. Between 1 June and 1 August, the People & Culture organisation will be led by Benny Jakobsen, currently Head of Global HR Business Partnering, Legal & Employee Relations, who will serve as interim Chief HR Officer.
Ørsted is a global leader in developing, constructing, and operating offshore wind farms, with a core focus on Europe. Backed by more than 30 years of experience in offshore wind, Ørsted has 10.2 GW of installed offshore capacity and 8.1 GW under construction. Ørsted’s total installed renewable energy capacity spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America exceeds 18 GW across a portfolio that also includes onshore wind, solar power, energy storage, bioenergy plants, and energy trading. Widely recognised as a global sustainability leader, Ørsted is guided by its vision of a world that runs entirely on green energy. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs approximately 8,000 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2024, the group’s operating profit excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees was DKK 24.8 billion (EUR 3.3 billion).
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