8.4 min read

Anne Nørklit Lønborg

Welcome to the profile of a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience spanning global, Nordic, and Danish companies. Currently serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Tryg, where digital and organisational transformation is the name of the game, our featured leading lady also plays a pivotal role as a board member of Mærsk Broker, orchestrating the harmonious convergence of business and digital strategies.

Ready to dive in?

Get to know Anne

Your career at a glance

I possess extensive leadership experience in a range of global, Nordic, and Danish companies. Currently, I am at the helm of digital and organisational transformation efforts in the Nordics as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Tryg. I also contribute significantly to aligning business and digital strategies as a board member of Mærsk Broker.

My roles at Tryg A/S have been pivotal in my career. Currently, I serve as the CIO and a member of the Executive Leadership Forum.
Previously, I held the position of Vice President of IT Development.
Additionally, I have held significant leadership roles at other prominent organisations:

At ATP, I was the Vice President overseeing IT Strategy, IT Development, and Business Portfolio Management.
During my tenure at IBM Denmark, I assumed various roles, including Associate Systems Analyst, Project Manager, Department Manager, and Delivery Project Executive.

Describe yourself in 3 words

  • Empathic
  • Result oriented
  • Drive change

On a scale of 1 to 5, where are you today in life?

On a scale of 1 to 5, where are you today in your career?

On a scale of 1 to 5, how happy are you today with your life?

Your favourite book?

The book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni because it delves into the core elements necessary for a team's success. I firmly believe that the principles and values outlined in this book align closely with my leadership philosophy, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding what truly drives effective teamwork.

Your favourite quote?

"If you see it, you own it."

What childhood passion have you lost in adulthood?

Unfortunately, drawing and painting.

Which passion or pastime will you never let go of?

One passion and pastime that I'll always hold onto is playing handball and engaging in team-oriented activities.

Your dream of a completely different second career?

If I were retiring tomorrow and seeking an entirely new second career, I would explore opportunities in teaching, occupying a seat on the board and NGO work.

Cut loose from all strings, what would you like to do with your life?

Make changes to improve something - something that impacts as many people as possible in the world.

"If I were retiring tomorrow and seeking an entirely new second career, I would explore opportunities in teaching, occupying a seat on the board and NGO work."

Anne’s career

Your work motivations?

I find motivation in shouldering responsibility, earning trust, and contributing to a larger purpose and objective.

My family comprises my husband and two daughters, and their unwavering support has significantly impacted my career. My husband, in particular, has played a pivotal role by building my self-confidence and fostering trust in myself, encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore uncharted career territories.

My husband serves as an excellent coach, offering me guidance and insights, and he assists with practical household matters, enabling me to focus on my professional endeavours.

The biggest obstacles to career growth in our industry?

One of the most substantial challenges lies in the hierarchical structure that necessitates climbing the ladder and vocalizing ambitions and achievements to secure promotions.

Your biggest obstacles facing the technology industry?

To admit that I will not be an expert on everything in the technology industry.

What have you gotten noticed for throughout your career?

Throughout my career, I've garnered recognition for my ability to employ a modern leadership style that inspires followership. Moreover, my adept communication skills enable me to convey intricate concepts in a business-oriented manner to executives. Additionally, my extensive technical knowledge and wealth of organisational experience have been acknowledged.

The major accelerators for success in our field?

Showcasing not only effective leadership but also a proven track record of delivering tangible results. Or even demonstrate realistic planning of complicated things.

What question do you get asked most often in your line of work?

"How will technology evolve in the future? What will customer service look like? How can we simplify and renew our technology landscape? Why is the IT cost increasing?"

What do you enjoy most about your job?

To be a decision maker, to impact the business results and to make a difference for the people I work with every day. I love to obtain results TOGETHER and to continuously improve or be better.

Your golden piece of advice to young women starting out in technology

Just get started - technology is much more than software development, it is about change, people, leadership, processes and technology.

What is your leadership style?

I practice servant leadership, and I am very focused on creating the best options for my people in order for them to be able to use their talent during their daily work.

Which supporting skills have helped you most as a leader?

My team mindset, communication skills and empathy.

How have you gained commitment from your team?

With a combination of professional respect and people skills. People also tell me I'm a great motivator and can therefore easily build a following. They also say that I have a knack for spotting talent and helping it flourish..

How do you make decisions?

I rely on facts and figures.

Would you recommend a career in technology to young girls?

Without a doubt! Absolutely!

“One of the most substantial challenges in our industry lies in the hierarchical structure that necessitates climbing the ladder and vocalizing ambitions and achievements to secure promotions.”

Let’s get technical

Explain the technology that drives your current business.

Tryg is the largest insurance company in the Nordics with a 40-year-old history of technology. So the business is driven by legacy technology like mainframe, Microsoft technologies and newer technology solutions like Guidewire.

What is technology for you?

For me, technology is a fantastic enabler for business opportunities, optimisation/efficiency and innovation. It's also a great way to exercise the creative part of my brain.

What are your views on future technology trends?

Future technology trends will impact human beings in the same way as cars, computers, the internet and physical machines have done in the past.

In your opinion, what is the greatest technological invention and why?

In my view, two of the most remarkable technological innovations are AI and the smartphone. The smartphone has revolutionized the way we access information, making it available anytime and anywhere. The emerging ecosystems associated with smartphones have the potential to facilitate direct business-to-consumer interactions, benefiting both enterprises and consumers alike.

As for AI, its impact is profound and multifaceted. AI has the capacity to reshape the job landscape, ushering in new roles while reducing or eliminating others. Simultaneously, it holds promise in addressing critical societal challenges, particularly in healthcare, given the increasing aging population. Moreover, AI's potential extends to mitigating environmental sustainability issues, tackling problems related to overconsumption, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Rate these technologies from highest to least impact on business.

  1. AI
  2. Smart concepts (cities, buildings, ...)
  3. Blockchain
  4. Smartphones
  5. Chat GPT
  6. Human-like robots
  7. 6G
  8. Edge cloud
  9. Security
  10. IoT
  11. 5G
  12. Social Media

Can technology do good for society, or would it be better off without it? Explain.

Technology undeniably benefits society by providing smarter solutions, facilitating quicker decision-making, and empowering data-driven insights and actions. These advancements enhance our ability to address complex challenges and improve the overall well-being of our communities.

How do you keep your technology skills up to date?

My organisation has a quarterly update (primarily from Gartner) and my main technology partners keep me updated. But also through studying on my own (Deloitte reports, PWC reports etc.) or network participations.

Your favourite tools and websites?

Microsoft Teams is a very important tool for me. Through virtual meetings and chats, I get the information I need to make fast decisions.

www.borsen.dk for business information
www.computerworld.dk for technology information
www.tryg.dk to ensure the website is running smoothly
www.tryg.com to read the investor presentations on the quarterly results of our business.

And then there are the AI Tools. They are evolving so fast but currently I find myself using ChatGPT, Tryg, and Bing Chat the most. I love experimenting with these new AI tools.

Your favourite and least favourite technology products?

My most favourite are smartphones, Microsoft Teams, my netbank.
My least favourite are our public services (e-boks.dk, sundhed.dk, skat.dk). They are not user-friendly!

The woman behind the technology

What makes each human unique?

Their personality, which is both inherited and formed during childhood in my opinion.

Does success compensate for value or morality?

I do not believe so. Not at all!

What is the relationship between the mind and the body?

Both should be in a good place. If not, you are not optimal and you can't be the best version of yourself.
Personally, I do sports and eat healthy to some extent to make sure my body is in good shape. And I am surrounded by people I love and want to spend time with as well.
Finally, I take breaks for myself to make sure my mind remains healthy.

"For me, technology is a fantastic enabler for business opportunities, optimisation, efficiency and innovation."

This or that?

Read the instruction manual

Just figure it out

Early adopter

Proven enthusiast

Laptop

Desktop

Apple

Windows

Fail at something

Never attempt it

Listen to the mind

Listen to the body

IOS

Android

E-book

Physical book

Flying cars

Personal robots

Google

Bing

Email

Phone call

Brainstorming session

Solo research

Packed lunch

Cafeteria

Work late

Start early

High Heels

Flats