We will create enduring value and leave clear footprints
Ferd is a family-owned investment company owned by the fifth and sixth generations of the Andresen family. Our investment company is called Ferd (‘journey’) because, in the true sense of the word, it represents a ‘journey without an end’.
Our vision – to create enduring value and leave clear footprints – describes what all of us at Ferd strive to achieve. It articulates our commitment to creating value that is not just financial. Our ambition is to create and develop companies, investment teams, organisations and changes that leads to progress for both individuals and society as a whole.
Leaving clear footprints means that we want our activities to leave lasting, significant and visible results. This also acknowledges that a trail is clearest if many follow it – our ambition is for all our companies, business units and employees to be driven by the same overriding principles whilst retaining their particular identity and freedom of action.
For Ferd, value creation is about generating more than just a financial return. It is also about making a positive contribution to the growth and development of society and our environment, in a way that supports the sustainability goals. Our wide-ranging activities encompass active ownership and corporate development at private and listed companies, investment in financial assets, real estate development, investment via external managers, impact investing and social entrepreneurship.
As an active owner, we use our influence to contribute to each company’s development and growth, always with the objective of delivering robust and sustainable value creation over time.
We are an active investor in Nordic listed companies and international funds and we maintain close contact with the companies and investment managers we are invested in.
Innovation and adventurous initiatives are a key part of Ferd’s history and an important part of our vision.
In 1849 the first Johan H. Andresen bought Tiedemanns Tobaksfabrik, a tobacco producer, and the company has remained in the family’s ownership ever since. Right from the start, the family has been involved in different types of industrial and financial activity in combination with a strong commitment to society, culture and politics.
In 1998 the family’s operational involvement in the tobacco industry ceased and in 2001 the group changed its name to Ferd. This change of name marked the group’s transition from a business rich on tradition toward realising a new vision, a new corporate mission and new corporate values.
The group has had an independent Board with external members since 2004, with Johan H. Andresen serving as its Chair since 2012 and with Katharina G. Andresen and Alexandra G. Andresen serving as members of the board since 2023.
Ferd is currently owned by the fifth and sixth generations of the Andresen family, namely Johan H. Andresen and his two daughters, Katharina and Alexandra Andresen.
Ferd’s executive management team is made up of three people, with Morten Borge as the CEO.
Ferd has had an independent Board of Directors since 2004. The Board of Directors of Ferd Holding currently has seven members, four of whom are external. Johan H. Andresen is the Chair of the Board, and his two daughters Katharina G. Andresen and Alexandra G. Andresen are members of the board.
