Ditlev Engel is the CEO of business area Energy Systems at DNV and member of the DNV Executive Committee. He leads a team of 5,000 energy experts to help customers navigate the complex transition to a sustainable, decarbonized energy future.

Prior to his role at DNV, Ditlev was the Group President & CEO of global wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S between 2005 and 2013. Before this he spent 20 years at global coatings manufacturer Hempel A/S, where he was Group President and CEO between 2000 to 2005.

With over 30 years’ experience in the global energy industry and international leadership competence, Ditlev has been a driving force behind many global green investment initiatives, pushing the energy transition to the next level.

In the past nine years Ditlev has successfully grown DNV’s advisory, monitoring and certification services for wind, solar, power grids, storage, energy efficiency and oil & gas and expanded the company’s focus areas to include electric vehicles and hydrogen.

Ditlev’s drive to go faster to meet the climate goals set in Paris, continues outside the boardroom. In 2018 the Danish government appointed Ditlev to be Denmark’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy. In that role Ditlev helped to strengthen Denmark’s global partnerships, promote private investments in the green transition and supported Denmark’s international climate action in the lead up to the UN Climate Summit in September 2019 in New York.

Ditlev has also been a member of the Energy Partner Network of the World Economic Forum, advisor of the International Energy Agency, chairman of the Green Growth Working Group at three consecutive G20 Summits, co-founder of the Green Growth Action Alliance, chairman of Denmark Green Investment Fund, member of Singapore Government’s International Advisory Panel on Energy and founding member of UN’s Sustainable Energy for All, appointed by former UN Secretary-General his excellence BAN Ki-moon.  

In 2008, Ditlev became Leader of the Year in Denmark and in 2009 INSEAD ranked Ditlev among the world’s 100 best performing CEOs, for his ability to create long-term value for shareholders without losing focus on short-term performance.

In 2011, Ditlev was awarded the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability, recognizing and rewarding the achievements of those who drive impactful, innovative, and inspiring sustainability solutions. Ditlev passed on the 1.5 million USD award to the NGO WindMade and other nominated organizations.

Ditlev was educated in Denmark and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the Copenhagen Business School and has completed the general management programme at INSEAD.

Ditlev holds a Danish passport but considers himself a citizen of the world having lived outside Denmark for 16 years and always worked in multinational business environments throughout his entire career.