The ESS Council has appointed Mr Anders Ihr as next Director of Administration, starting on 2 January 2024.
From 2016 to 2023, Mr Ihr served as Director of Administration at ESA - EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Surveillance Authority based in Brussels, responsible for all administrative functions, including Finance, Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology and Compliance.
Between 2010 and 2016, Mr Ihr was Director of Administration at the World Maritime University (WMU), the Malmö-based United Nations’ University that operates under the auspices of International Maritime Organisation in London. In this role, Mr Ihr oversaw Finance, HR, ICT and Donors Relations, and held profit centre responsibility for the University’s commercial activities.
Previously, Mr Ihr worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the Chief of Operations at WHO’s Global Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and for 14 years with the Swiss Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) where he held positions in Zurich, Hong Kong, Bangalore and Copenhagen.
“I am excited and honoured to be appointed as the Director of Administration and to become a part of this world-class research institution, which will undoubtedly lead to remarkable accomplishments for the benefit of society”, says Mr Ihr.
Anders Ihr is a Swedish citizen. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master´s Degree in Economic Geography from Lund University, Sweden.
“I am very pleased that Anders Ihr is joining the ESS senior management team. His extensive experience in large international organisations will be valuable in helping ESS to complete the construction project and transition to Steady State Operations”, says Robert McGreevy, Chair of the ESS Council.
“I look forward to welcoming Mr Ihr to ESS”, says ESS Director General Helmut Schober. “As we progress towards operations, his broad and robust Business Administration and Finance experience will be instrumental for securing high-performing corporate functions for a sustainable scientific organisation.”