Christoffer Hernæs new CTO in Stø

Stø strengthens its leadership with a new Chief Technology Officer

Christoffer Hernæs has been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Stø, the company behind BankID and BankAxept.

– Hernæs has an unwavering customer focus, broad experience from technology leadership across various industries, and is a bold technologist with an eye for opportunities in a rapidly changing market, says Øyvind Westby Brekke, CEO of Stø.

Stø employs approximately 170 technologists working with infrastructure for payments, electronic ID, and KYC/AML.

– The landscape for payments and digital identity is constantly evolving and demands both adaptability and innovative capacity. At the same time, Stø builds its services on trust and requires an uncompromising approach to robustness, reliability, and security. It is precisely this duality that makes Stø such an exciting place, boasting one of the leading technology environments in the country, says incoming CTO at Stø, Christoffer Hernæs.

Passionate About Societal Value

Hernæs is looking forward to working with services that impact everyone:

– Technology that makes a difference for users is something I am passionate about. I am genuinely proud to contribute to such an important societal mission as Stø represents.

Hernæs has a varied and impressive career within technology, digitalization, and innovation. He began with studies in computer science at the University of Oslo, later earning a master's degree in innovation and entrepreneurship. After several years in consulting and as an entrepreneur, he joined the financial sector as Director of Strategy and Innovation at SpareBank 1, with a particular focus on the payments area.

As Director of Technology and Business Development at Sbanken, he was responsible for both modernization and renewal of banking systems, as well as launching new digital services. Since 2022, Christoffer has served as Chief Digital Officer at Skanska.

Innovation and returns through partnerships and investments in leading startups in his field have been a continuous red thread throughout his career. In addition to national recognitions, he has, for the third year in a row, been highlighted as one of the leading digital leaders in various global rankings.

Strategic Navigator

Brekke highlights that Hernæs brings unique experience and a passionate commitment to ID, payments, regulated business, and the modernization and simplification of digital services.

– Our new CTO will play a central role as we make strategic decisions for the coming years. We have built a solid technology environment that works according to common principles, and now we are ready for the next step – to carefully consider different strategic directions and set the course, says Brekke.

Stø's vision of creating a seamless society requires hard work, according to Brekke.

– If we want to be chosen tomorrow, our services must become even easier to adopt and easier to use. The pace of innovation must increase in a market with growing competition. At the same time, one thing remains unchanged: we will never compromise on security and stability, says Brekke.