Torben Larsen Nominated for Leader of the Year 2026

Give Steel’s CEO and co-owner, Torben Larsen, has been nominated by the Danish Association of Managers and Executives, Lederne, for Leader of the Year 2026. The jury highlights his work in delivering strong business results while giving people from different backgrounds a genuine opportunity to succeed in the labour market.

For Torben Larsen, good leadership is about people. It means staying close to employees, setting clear expectations and giving people an opportunity, even when their path into the labour market has been difficult.

And now, Torben has been nominated for Leader of the Year 2026.

Recognition of Give Steel’s Values

In its reasons for the nomination, the jury emphasises how Torben has made social inclusion part of the business and given people from very different backgrounds a genuine opportunity to succeed in the labour market.

“Through integrity, presence and perseverance, he demonstrates how strong business results and a significant commitment to social responsibility can reinforce one another in 2026,” the jury states.

For Torben, the nomination is first and foremost recognition of the values that shape Give Steel.

“I am incredibly pleased and humbled by the nomination. To me, it is first and foremost recognition of the values we share at Give Steel.”

For many years, giving people an opportunity has been part of Give Steel’s DNA. This includes people who have found it difficult to gain a foothold in the labour market or whose backgrounds can make it harder for them to get their foot in the door elsewhere.

Today, Give Steel has around 60 employees working under various forms of socially inclusive employment.

Opportunities and Expectations Go Hand in Hand

Giving people an opportunity does not mean lowering expectations. Quite the opposite.

Torben stresses that Give Steel is not a social institution. People are employed because the company believes they can create value. Some may need more support, more trust or a little more time to get started.

“Give Steel is not a social institution. We employ people because we believe they can create value. Some people need more support, more trust or a little more time to get started. That does not mean we expect any less of them.”

For Torben, social responsibility and a healthy business are therefore closely connected. When people are given a genuine opportunity to contribute, it can create value for both the individual and the company.

Leadership Begins with Being Present

For Torben, good leadership is not only about results and direction. It is also about being present and knowing the people you lead.

“Fundamentally, I believe good leadership means caring about the people you lead. You need to be visible and present, and employees should never be in any doubt that they matter to the company.”

This approach also places expectations on Give Steel’s managers. Relationships should not be limited to the annual employee development review but should form part of everyday working life.

“Pour a cup of coffee, move your chair away from the desk, put your phone aside and sit down and listen. Do not rush it. Take the half-hour it requires.”

For Give Steel, the nomination is therefore also an opportunity to highlight the kind of workplace the company strives to be: one where people are met with trust and integrity, as well as clear expectations and opportunities to take responsibility.

Inspiring Others

Leader of the Year is awarded by Lederne to a Danish senior executive who has made a difference and delivered results across several dimensions through their leadership.

The award is being presented for the 25th time this year, and the winner will be announced at Leadership Day on 19 November.

For Torben, it is important that the nomination is not only about him.

“In my view, an award such as Leader of the Year should also inspire other companies and leaders to take action in the same direction. If this nomination can help tell that story, it means a great deal to me.”

For Give Steel, the nomination recognises that social responsibility and a healthy business can go hand in hand. When people are given the opportunity to succeed, it can create value for the individual, the company and society.

The winner of Leader of the Year 2026 will be announced at Leadership Day on 19 November.

Read the profile of Torben Larsen published by Lederne on Lederstof.dk (in danish).

About Leader of the Year

Leader of the Year is one of Denmark’s most prominent leadership awards and is presented by Lederne. In 2026, the award will be presented for the 25th time, with the winner announced at Leadership Day on 19 November.

The award is presented to a Danish senior executive who has made a difference and delivered strong results through their leadership, both within their company or organisation and in relation to wider society.

The nominees are selected by an expert jury comprising representatives from the business community, education sector and wider society.