The Interpreter – meet Sivert Werner Kristiansen

As Oslo-based Data Analytics Manager in Global Business Services (GBS), Sivert Werner Kristiansen works at the point where raw data translates into real decisions, building systems that help colleagues across the group see clearer and act with confidence in a fast-changing market.

“What you do today might not be relevant tomorrow.”

For Sivert that isn't just a statement of fact – it's a big part of why he enjoys his work.

Data analytics is constantly evolving. “You're never ‘finished’ or fully learned. It’s a fast-moving field, especially with AI, and you have to keep up. That’s exciting.”

His second core motivator is teamwork and the pressure that comes with it. “If the data isn’t there when it’s needed, it can have real consequences. So we have to be sharp.”

Energy is something Sivert has never lacked. He grew up in the Oslo suburb of Lørenskog – "a bit of a troublemaker but not that noisy. Good in analytical subjects but I also liked languages and natural science."

Meet Sivert

He recalls first wanting to be a punk, as he was forever colouring his hair different colours – (seeing his first punk in real life covered in piercings and tattoos swiftly put an end to that dream) – then an artist. "I was never into being a footballer, athlete, film star. Mostly I didn't have a clue!"

After high school he spent a year in the army engineering corps. "I met my two best friends there.
We learned how to work closely with others in tough conditions – a skill that's served us well."

He was all set to study economics in Denmark where he has family. "As part of the application process, I had to take an English language test. At the test centre I overheard someone talking about this new Data Science for Business programme at BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo. I got curious and they sold it to me on the spot. I was accepted and scrapped the Denmark plan. No regrets.”

Finding direction in data

After graduating, he moved through roles in digital marketing and consulting. “You see very clearly how clients can use data to their advantage. You also see how many decisions are still based on gut feeling rather than backed by data. I developed a real interest in that unexploited potential.”

There came a point where he wanted to move in-house. “I enjoyed consultancy – the pace and variety – but you come in, build something and then move on. I wanted to stay closer to what's being built and see it develop over time.”

That led him to GBS – Wilhelmsen’s internal hub for data, technology and shared services. “I still get the consulting dynamic but at the same time a sense of real ownership.”

At 28, his journey from Data Engineer to manager has been swift. “It’s been exciting and a bit scary. It came a couple of years earlier than expected but I never doubted it was the right move.”

Building solutions that last

His data team in GBS focuses on turning raw, often hard-to-interpret data into insights that colleagues can use to improve decision-making. “Our focus is on building longevity pipelines that support business goals over time. Plus we’re constantly looking at how to improve them and add more value.”

Sivert with his manager and a colleague during a cooking class competition at the GBS Leadership Summit.

Running a service that supports thousands of users is inherently complex. “There’s a lot of stakeholder management involved, with many moving parts that aren’t always visible.”

The group's global reach surprised him most. “I really underestimated how international Wilhelmsen is: both the scale and the complexity of what’s being delivered across so many countries.”

His one gripe is that many still see analytics as a backwards-in-time reporting. "Today it's all about generating insights, and people often underestimate the possibilities."

Sivert's team today comprises eight people in total. "We’re close to a 50-50 gender balance, with slightly more women than men, which is quite unusual in a data and analytics environment."

Malaysia calling: a global team in the making

The team is in the process of expanding, with three new positions being added in Kuala Lumpur – part of stronger capacity-building in that region. "One job has already been filled, so now we're looking for another data engineer and someone more focused on platform architecture."

They must have a genuine interest in technology. "That’s essential because things move so quickly. But it’s equally important to be good at understanding customer needs and delivering value."

He also looks beyond what’s on paper. "Technical ability is important for sure – but skills can be learned and developed. What matters more is genuine enthusiasm and curiosity, and how a candidate will fit into the team."

Having a physical presence in KL is important simply because of Wilhelmsen’s large footprint in the city and region at large. "We’re primarily looking for local talent, or people with the right to work there who want to be part of building something from the ground up and shaping how the team develops."

Learning the art of leadership

Sivert's biggest learning over the past six months has been balancing deliverables and resources. "As a developer, your work is quite tangible. As a manager, a lot of the value comes from making sure people communicate well and letting go of control. You have to trust people, understand their strengths and accept that others are better than you in certain areas."

It's also tempting to prove yourself – and push too hard. "That can fast lead to the wrong kind of leadership, putting unnecessary pressure on the team. For me, good leadership is about setting direction and momentum while giving people the space to do their best work."

Sivert and the team during a project on-site week, joined by colleagues visiting from Romania, gathered around the campfire after a day of work.

Another aspect of Wilhelmsen Sivert highlights is having made genuinely good friends at work, with plenty of social activities that bring people together.

He also mentions diversity. “We constantly interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, which creates a lot of interesting exchanges.”

The plum brandy challenge

One example captures that well. “We recently had colleagues visiting from Romania, and over dinner ended up talking about food and drink traditions – including the coliva cake they eat at funerals. They even brought us each a bottle of țuică, with the promise that if we drink the whole thing in one go, we’ll wake up speaking Romanian!”

Outside work, Sivert enjoys exploring new places and indulging his foodie side. He's also interested in wine – especially a good white Burgundy – shared with his girlfriend and pals. "As a typical guy in my late 20s, I thought I should have more defined hobbies, so I’ve taken up golf and running!"

Sivert with his girlfriend enjoying a Norwegian summer in Torbudalen on the west coast, at his in-laws’ cabin.

Through work he has also been introduced to sailing, completing a sailing course last summer and then participating in a yacht regatta around the Danish island of Sjælland.

Sivert sailing during the Sjælland Rundt race in June 2025, approaching Helsingør, Denmark.

Pressed to name one figure in the public eye as a role model, he chooses gourmand and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain. “His curiosity and non-judgmental attitude always inspired me. It’s a pity he’s gone.”

Sivert was interviewed by Roddy Craig