News - 03.12.2024

Ragnar Þór Steps Down as Chairman of VR

Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson has stepped down as Chairman of VR following his election to Althingi in the elections held on November 30. Ragnar Þór officially leaves his position today, December 3, 2024. Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Vice Chair of VR, has assumed the role of Chair in accordance with the union's governance rules and will hold the position until the term concludes at the annual general meeting in March 2025.

Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson was first elected to the VR board in early 2009, during the aftermath of the financial crisis and a time of significant upheaval. He was elected Chairman in 2017 and has since been re-elected in three subsequent elections. Ragnar Þór has led VR through three collective agreements and overseen significant changes to the union's services and operations. Among these accomplishments is the establishment of Blær, a housing association set to deliver its first apartments at the beginning of the new year, marking a milestone in housing initiatives.

“I leave VR with both pride and sadness. I have had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of elected representatives and employees. VR's office is exceptionally strong, and as Chairman, I have benefited greatly from the professionalism that characterizes all its work. I have full confidence in the current board of the union and its new Chairwoman, and I wish them all success in their endeavors,” said Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson, outgoing Chairman of VR and newly elected Member of Parliament.

“On behalf of both the board and the VR office, I extend our deepest gratitude to Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson for his nearly 16 years of dedicated service to the union. He has been a tireless advocate for wage earners and public interests, and I am confident he will continue to be a strong voice in his new role in Parliament. I take over a strong union, and we will maintain close connections to continue working for the benefit of our VR members. I wish Ragnar all the best in his new duties in Althingi,” said Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Chairwoman of VR.