Leif Johan Sevland

In 2012, Sevland was appointed president and CEO of the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Foundation. Under his leadership, ONS has evolved from a meeting place for the oil and gas industry into a global energy forum that fosters dialogue on geopolitics, energy and climate. The ONS conference gathers ministers, senior political leaders, global thinkers and energy executives. In 2024, the event featured approximately 1,150 speakers across nine conference arenas. The exhibition highlights all forms of energy and has actively promoted renewable solutions and energy transformation. In 2024, ONS hosted 1,200 exhibitors and welcomed over 70,000 visitors.

Sevland has also led the foundation into international strategic partnerships with institutions such as the Munich Security Conference and CERAWeek, organizing recurring events in collaboration with them.

Sevland began his political career in the Young Conservatives (Unge Høyre), initially as chair of Karmøy Unge Høyre, later becoming deputy chair of Stavanger Unge Høyre, and eventually serving as chair of Rogaland Unge Høyre from 1983 to 1988.

He was a member of the Rogaland County Council from 1988 to 1999, chair of Stavanger Høyre from 1989 to 1994, and chair of Rogaland Høyre from 1994 to 1998. Sevland also served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) for Rogaland in the periods 1985–1989 and 1993–1997, meeting for a total of 7 months in 1994/1995.