Gunnur Helgadóttir appointed Hrafnista chief executive

Gunnur Helgadóttir has been appointed chief executive of Hrafnista, Iceland’s largest nursing home operator, mbl.is reports. She has served as acting chief executive since the end of July, having previously been Hrafnista’s managing director of healthcare services.

Helgadóttir has worked for Hrafnista since 2020. Before that, she was managing director of pharmaceutical company Vistor for nearly 10 years.

She holds an MBA from Reykjavik University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Iceland. She also has extensive management experience and professional experience as a nurse.

“I take on the role with great anticipation and ambition. Hrafnista has extensive knowledge and a strong workforce. I look forward to continuing to work with this excellent group to develop our services and create security, trust and wellbeing for our residents,” Helgadóttir said in a statement.

Hrafnista operates six nursing homes in the capital region and one on the Reykjanes peninsula. It is a non-profit subsidiary of the Seamen’s Day Council, and its operations date back to 1957, when Hrafnista in Laugarás began operating.