BI to deliver talent development programme for DNB

In competition with other national and international providers, BI has been selected as DNB’s partner for the development and delivery of the ASPIRE 2.0 talent programme. The programme will commence in January 2027 and run for 12 months. Its aim is to strengthen the strategic and business acumen of young talents at Norway’s largest bank.

Katrine Soløst Titlestad, SVP Organizational Development, DNB; Marius Eriksen, EVP Business, BI; Even Westerveld, Group EVP People & Communication, DNB; Vegard Larsen, førsteamanuensis, BI; Katrine Kirkebø, BDM Executive, BI; Benedicte Hauge, Organizational Development, DNB

 

The programme brings together a select group of approximately 40 DNB employees with strong potential for development. Through the programme, participants will be prepared for future specialist and leadership roles within the Group.

What participants will learn

The programme is built around active problem-solving rather than traditional lectures. It consists of nine in-person and digital sessions, designed to deliver seven specific learning outcomes. These include gaining insight into the bank’s business models, developing a deeper understanding of complex organisational systems, and strengthening decision-making skills.

The programme also emphasises collaboration, communication and the practical application of AI in the financial services sector. Between the in-person sessions and digital modules, participants will work in learning groups and use a personal learning journal to document their individual development.

Some of BI’s Leading Experts

 
BI brings together experts from several academic departments to deliver the programme in collaboration with DNB’s own specialists. Here is a selection of the faculty involved:

• Anders Dysvik, Professor at the Department of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, leads the initiative as Academic Programme Director. Together with his colleagues, he will teach participants about strategic self-leadership, communication, and how to build high-performing teams.
• Vegard Larsen, Associate Professor at the Department of Data Science and Analytics, serves as Programme Director. He will guide participants in using AI and data analytics to make better real-time decisions.
• Thomas Hoholm, Professor at the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice President for Academic Resources, will challenge participants to think differently and lead innovation projects in uncertain environments.
• Olav Syrstad, Associate Professor at the Department of Finance, will provide insights into the financial system, market signals, and modern risk management.
• Ide Katrine Birkeland, Associate Professor at the Department of Communication and Culture, will support participants’ personal development. Among other topics, she will introduce methods for giving honest feedback that builds trust.

Knowledge Tailored to the Needs of Business

The partnership with DNB builds on BI’s long-standing tradition of close collaboration with the financial services industry. BI has established partnerships with organisations such as Finance Norway and the Finance Sector Union of Norway. In collaboration with industry partners, BI develops courses in areas such as artificial intelligence in finance, sustainable finance, financial crime and digital transformation, as well as leadership programmes for companies such as Storebrand.

BI’s academic communities also have a strong international standing. Most recently, BI was the only Norwegian business school featured in the Financial Times ranking of the world’s best Master’s in Finance programmes.