Thomas Ahrenkiel will assume the position of head of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE) on September 1st. This marks Ahrenkiel’s return to the role he previously held from 2010 to 2015.

The appointment, announced by the Ministry of Defence, sees Ahrenkiel replacing Svend Larsen, the acting head who stepped in following the suspension of former head Lars Findsen. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen lauded Ahrenkiel’s extensive insight and experience.

Ahrenkiel expressed his enthusiasm about returning to FE and contributing to Denmark’s security. He was previously a partner and European director at Macro Advisory Partners. From 2015 to 2020, he served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, having also held key positions in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Svend Larsen, who took over during a challenging period, was thanked by the minister for his service, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine.

Lars Findsen, who had been suspended since 2020 following criticism from the Intelligence Services Oversight Board, reached a severance agreement and will officially step down at the end of August. Findsen’s suspension stemmed from allegations of sharing strictly confidential information, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in December 2021. Ultimately, the case against him collapsed.

Findsen will receive a severance package totaling approximately DKK 6.5 million, comprising three years’ salary and an extraordinary pension contribution. Including his salary during the suspension period, the total sum amounts to around DKK 7.3 million.