Jacob Schram, the Norwegian European director of Norway's largest oil chain, Circle K, is leaving. The reason is that his position as head of Europe is abolished.

– This is an organizational change. Following this reorganization, there was a desire to remove his role as head of Europe, explains communications director Pål Heldaas in Circle K Europe in Nettavisen.

Schram has 22 years of experience with the gas station giant, dating back to when it was called Statoil and owned by the oil company.

Schram was involved in Statoil Fuel and Retail's spinoff, listing in 2010 and then acquisition of Canada's Couche-Tard in 2011, which renamed the gas station chain Circle K. Schram was at the top of Couche -Late management throughout this period.

– Have delivered

Heldaas emphasizes that Schram's departure is not due to results or a lack of qualifications.

– He's not going because he didn't deliver. We have increased both in turnover and profit. He's a leader who comes out with extreme success under his belt, he said.

– But why don't you want to have a man like Schram with you if he was so successful?

– It's not that we didn't want to keep him, and different possibilities were studied, but the management didn't find anything suitable, he said

-Won't this be a loss for you?

– Yes, of course, there is no one who does not feel this way. But it's a loss we have to face, says Heldaas.

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Schram therefore has no direct successor. Instead, Scandinavia manager Hans-Olav Høidahl and Eastern Europe and Ireland manager Jørn Madsen will share responsibility for Europe. They will now report directly to CEO Brian Hannasch.

Heldaas points out that the company does not have a corresponding manager in its other main markets, Canada and the United States.

– This is why it is not surprising that the European manager position is disappearing, explains Heldaas.

Thanks Schram

Brian Hannasch, CEO of Couche-Tard, said in a statement that he found Schram's departure sad.

– I would like to thank Jacob for his contribution over 22 years. He is a visionary strategist who has contributed enormously to the development of the company. Myself, the group's management and Jacob's colleagues in Europe think it is sad to see Jacob leave us, but we respect the decision. We wish him all the best, he said.

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Experimented

Jacob Schram joined Statoil Detaljhandel in 1996. He led the creation of Statoil Retail Europe, the merger of Statoil Energy & Retail and the IPO of Statoil Fuel & Retail in 2010.

After the company was bought by Couche-Tard in 2011, Jacob Schram sat in the group's management. He was responsible for operations in nine European markets and a highly skilled organization.

“It has been a fantastic development and a great privilege to lead the European side of such an important global business. I am proud to have built a successful business and strong management team in Europe,” Schram said in a comment.