Árni Mathiesen

Who is Árni Mathiesen?

Árni M. Mathiesen is an Icelandic politician. From September 2005 through 31 January 2009, he was Minister of Finance in Iceland. From 1999–2005 he was Minister of Fisheries. Mathiesen was first elected to the Althing for the Independence Party in 1991, when he was the youngest member of the Althing at the age of 33.

Mathiesen graduated from Flensborgarskóli in Hafnarfjörður with a university entrance diploma in 1978. He studied veterinary medicine at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as veterinarian in 1983. He studied fish pathology at the University of Stirling and in 1985 was awarded the MSc in Aquatic Veterinary Science.

After completing his studies, he worked as veterinarian in various areas of Iceland, and served as veterinary officer for fish diseases 1985–1995. Mathiesen was also the managing director of the aquaculture firm Faxalax hf. 1988–1989.

Árni M. Mathiesen was chairman of the Flensborgarskóli student association 1977–78, president of Stefnir, the association of young conservatives in Hafnarfjörður 1986–88, and vice-president of SUS, the association of young conservatives in Iceland 1985–87.