Tom O. Kleppestø

Tom O. Kleppestø is a seasoned management consultant and senior industry leader whose career spans more than two decades across the ocean industries, with a strong focus on shipping, maritime, and ocean-based sectors. Based in Oslo, Norway, he has built a reputation for bridging strategic leadership with practical industry insight, helping organizations navigate complexity while creating long-term, ecosystem-driven value.

He currently serves as General Manager of the Maritime Oslofjord Alliance, an umbrella organization uniting key shipping, maritime, and ocean businesses across the Oslofjord region, as well as the Nordics and the Baltics. In this role, Tom works closely with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and academic institutions to strengthen collaboration, foster innovation, and enhance the region’s global competitiveness. His work places particular emphasis on talent development, executive education, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector dialogue, critical pillars for the future of the maritime economy.

Tom’s professional background encompasses general and project management, strategic development, venture capital processes, and innovation-led growth. Alongside his executive responsibilities, he is an experienced board member and chairman for multiple start-ups, including companies he has co-founded, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and international perspective to every engagement.

Widely respected as a speaker and moderator, Tom is known for his ability to connect high-level strategy with real-world industry challenges, facilitating constructive conversations across disciplines and sectors. Driven by a belief in knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and sustainable growth, he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping resilient and future-ready ocean industry ecosystems, making him a compelling voice among the Emerging Global Leaders Shaping the Future in 2026.