Kistefos is a privately owned investment company owned by Christen Sveaas and led by CEO Tom Ruud. The company comprises wholly owned and part-owned industrial companies within offshore, shipping, and IT, as well as strategic investments in various listed and unlisted companies, principally within banking/ finance, telecommunications and property. The company dates back to 1889 when Sveaas' family founded the lumber mill Kistefos Træsliberi.