Erik Anker's career has been shaped by a constant drive to learn and grow. During his career at St1, he has enjoyed the opportunity to take on very different types of roles. Today Erik is working in Norway as Business Development Manager for a new business area called eMobility in the Sales & Brands unit.

“I really enjoy learning new things. St1 is a great company because you have that possibility to move around”, Erik explains.

Erik graduated in 2004 from the Norwegian School of Economics, where he majored in Strategy and Leadership, with many courses in marketing. His exchange semester at Hanken School of Economics in Finland, focusing on Service Management and Marketing, left a significant impact on his career course. The passion for marketing has made him always look for opportunities within the marketing world.

Erik’s career did however include a few steps before actually taking over a role within marketing. Ending up in the energy sector was more of a coincidence, today offering a variety of opportunities for Erik.

From finance to marketing, through logistics and back to the roots

After graduation, Erik worked as Controller at the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, followed by a brief stint as an Accounting Manager at a small shipping firm in Norway. Erik joined Shell in 2007 as a Credit Analyst Team Leader, later proceeding to Credit Manager for the International Marine Portfolio in Europe and Africa.

A significant turning point occurred when Shell decided to sell its downstream business in Norway to St1 in 2015. Erik then got the change to take over a role in retail marketing. This move marked the beginning of Erik’s marketing career.

St1 decided to take over the food concept at the Norwegian retail sites from a big grocery chain. Erik contributed to the establishment and success of the réal brand, which still today represents the convenience store in connection to St1 retail stations.

“We were suddenly going into food, which was totally new. A really, really big task to achieve and a very exciting part of my career. Succeeding in this was a personal experience showing that with the right team, with the right people around you, you can achieve anything”.

During this period, Erik also helped set up the first EV charging sites in Norway, marking the birth of eMobility at St1. Before taking over his current role as Business Development Manager in the eMobility team, Erik jumped over to work with supply and logistics for five years, which broadened his expertise and understanding of the fuel industry.

Since August 2022, Erik has led the eMobility team developing St1's charging network. A typical week now involves a wide range of tasks from developing systems and measuring margins, to setting up processes in a new and dynamic business area. The internal collaboration is very strong.

“It's kind of being part of every, every single part of the business. For me, it is also being a little closer to the marketing world again, which I feel is the right place for me,” Erik says.

Game-changing moments and challenges

Designing and implementing the food concept and managing the réal brand was one of the true game-changing moments in Erik’s career. Another significant experience was leading a major retail kickoff event for 500 persons. This responsibility gave Erik another boost and confidence that he had the capability to handle big tasks.

“That experience made me feel like I could accomplish anything. It was a game-changer for me personally, helping me learn more about myself than anything else.”

Erik has also had his share of challenges. Particularly managing teams during COVID-19 was difficult.

“Those weren't my best years, I would say. Typically, I'm someone who enjoys going into the office and interacting with people. Leading teams, particularly a high-performing team, without being able to meet them face-to-face was challenging for me.”

A learning Erik is sharing especially to newcomers in the field is to stay open and continuously seek knowledge.

“Stay open to possibilities and stay open to the world. Stay open to your colleagues’ opinions. Listening to other people and seeking knowledge is something I've always been doing. I then try to form it in new ways and build my own story based on what I learn,” Erik explains.

A workplace offering continuous growth and contribution

Erik’s drive to learn and grow - and the possibility to do so - has kept him engaged at St1. Erik enjoys working at St1 because he can find and deliver value, especially in new businesses, and make significant impact, which is harder to achieve in larger corporations.

“The sense of trust here allows us to work without overly strict guidelines, giving us the opportunity to truly influence the business. I think it lies in the values in the company and that's something that inspires me and makes me enjoy the work.”

For Erik, the passion for marketing and new business remains.

“For me, the renewable parts of the business are major motivating factors, and I also see e-Mobility as one of them. This is why I am so passionate about pursuing this path right now. Really grasping the vision and believing in it is important to me, and I truly do believe in what we are doing here in St1”, Erik concludes.