American investor named High North Hero of 2017

American Scott Minerd, one of the world’s most influential investors, was today awarded the High North Hero Prize for his efforts to promote value creation in the High North.

“This is one of the most important recognitions I have ever received,” he said.

The top investor, who received the Prize during the High North Dialogue conference in Bodø, Norway, has during years stood out as a driving force for promoting long-term investments in High North infrastructure projects.

In his acceptance speech, he encouraged more people – in particular those not familiar with the Arctic from before – to look to the North.

Minerd has also worked closely with Norwegian Labor leader Jonas Gahr Støre and a series of other experts in shaping the Arctic Investment Protocol (AIP). The AIP is a set of guidelines for responsible investment in the Arctic that were launched during the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos.

The AIP aims at making sure that economic activities in the High North do not come at the expense of the environment, local communities and indigenous people.

The High North Hero Prize was first awarded last year. The recipient was the former Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, an interview with whom was published on High North News yesterday.

When the 2017 HNH Prize is awarded to Scott Minerd, it is because the jury wants to recognize the American investor’s contribution to economic growth in the High North.