Felix Tschudi became the High North Hero during the High North Dialogue 2021 conference. He was in a charitable mood.

Felix Tschudi - High North Hero 2020

This year’s winner of the High North Hero Award is Felix Tschudi, who receives the award for the work he has done to contribute to sustainable business and community development in the High North.

– Felix Tschudi is a winner who practices what he preaches, says leader of Arctic Frontier, Anu Fredrikson.

Gave away the money.

Every year, the High North Centre at the Norwegian School of Business and Management, Nord University, awards the High North Hero award to a person or organization that contributes to development and growth in the Arctic.

The award ceremony takes place in connection with the international conference High North Dialogue in Bodø. Nordland County Municipality finances the award. The price consists of 50,000 kroner, but shipowner Tschudi did not want to keep the money himself.

When he received the award, Tschudi said in his acceptance speech that he would give half the prize money to Music Alchemy. They were nominated in the High North Young Entrepreneurs competition during this year’s edition of High North Dialogue.

“Culture is important for life in the Arctic, and for human welfare”

– We have heard from many during this year’s conference about how important culture is for life in the Arctic, and for human welfare. Perhaps it is even more important in these Corona times. I therefore hope that Music Alchemy can benefit from this money and help to spread good vibes in Arkhangelsk and perhaps even beyond the borders of the Arctic.

The other half of the prize money will be given to initiatives related to the fight against plastic in the Arctic Sea. Here he envisioned several candidates, and the Tschudi Group will evaluate these and announce a recipient soon.

The northern ​sea route

Felix Henry Tschudi (born 1960) is a Norwegian shipowner. He has a background from the Norwegian Navy and has a BSc from the London School of Economics and an MBA from INSEAD in France. In 1989 he joined the family company Tschudi & Eitzen. He is the owner and manager of Tschudi Shipping Company and has been the owner of, among others, A / S Sydvaranger.

Tschudi was among the first to take the initiative to start international and commercial traffic through the Northern sea route, from Asia to Europe through Russian waters. He has also been involved in other important industrial activities in the High North.

Felix Tschudi - High North Hero 2020

Continuous ini​​tiative

– Felix Tschudi is a person who has a sincere and ardent commitment to the development of the High North, and who has also shown a willingness to invest in the High North, says director of the High North Centre, Frode Mellemvik.

He also points out Felix Tschudi’s impressive commitment to building close and binding cooperation between business and society and academia.

Tschudi is known for continuous business development and new initiatives. Globally, he has been very important in establishing guidelines for contributing to safe and long-term investments in the Arctic.

The director of Arctic Frontiers, Anu Fredrikson, presented the award on behalf of the international committee that has assessed the proposals received.

– The winner practices his own teaching, she said in her speech before the award ceremony.

– He has shown this through his work with the implementation of specific projects that have benefited large parts of the pan-Arctic region. The winner’s involvement in the mining industry is a good example of his commitment, perseverance, and willingness to invest in the High North.

Prestigious​ price

The High North Hero Award was presented for the first time in 2016, and the first High North Hero became former Prime Minister, Paavo Lipponen. The High North Hero Award for 2017 went to American Scott Minerd, founder of Guggenheim Partners. Minerd received the award for his efforts for sustainable investment in the Arctic. High North Hero for 2018 was Mary Simon for her work to promote the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples in the Arctic.

High North Hero 2019 became the American climate researcher Dr. Robert Corell, one of the world’s leading researchers in climate change and its effect on society.

The High North Hero Committee consists of:

Director Anu Fredrikson, Arctic Frontiers

Professor Laurence C. Smith, Brown Universty, USA

Special Adviser Finn Roar Aamodt, Equinor

Professor Indra Øverland, NUPI, Norway

Rector Elena Vladimirovna Kudryashova, NArFU, Arkhangelsk, Russia

Vice President Interregional Cooperation, Arctic University, Marina Kalinina

Rector Sergei Vasiliev, MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia

Editor Arne O Holm, High North News

For more information, contact Communication Advisor Hogne Bø Pettersen at the High North Centre: hogne@nord.no

Frode Mellemvik, Felix Tschudi and Anu Fredrikson