Jens Olav Vestgøte Sæther appointed new governor
The government has appointed Chief Public Prosecutor Jens Olav Vestgøte Sæther (58) as the new Governor of Svalbard. He comes from the position of Chief Public Prosecutor at the Oslo Public Prosecutor's Office.
Sæther was vice governor from 2014 to 2016, and succeeds Lars Fause, who is stepping down in January after almost six years in the position.
- Sæther is well qualified for the job as governor of Svalbard. With Sæther we get a governor who knows the conditions in Svalbard well and who will be able to contribute to administration along the long lines of Svalbard policy, says Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen.
The Governor is the government's highest representative in Svalbard and is central to the implementation of Svalbard policy, the exercise of authority and the administration of the archipelago. The position as Governor is for a fixed term of three years, with the possibility of an extension of up to three years.
- I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lars Fause for the job he has done. He has been a solid Governor, who has delivered very well on his assignment during his almost six years in the position, says Aas-Hansen.
Sæther is considered, with his background, to be very well qualified for the role of new Governor. He has good insight into the Governor's duties, the local communities on Svalbard and Svalbard politics.
Sæther holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Oslo in 1994. He has extensive experience in the prosecution service and is currently the Chief Public Prosecutor at the Oslo State Prosecutor's Office. He has also been acting head of the Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs.