Árni Mathiesen

Árni M. Mathiesen
Minister of Finance
In office 27 September 2005 – 1 February 2009
Prime Minister	Halldór Ásgrímsson; Geir Haarde
Preceded by	Geir Haarde
Succeeded by	Steingrímur J. Sigfússon
Minister of Fisheries
In office 1999–2005
Prime Minister	Davíð Oddsson; Halldór Ásgrímsson
Preceded by	Þorsteinn Pálsson
Succeeded by	Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson
Personal details
Born	(1958-10-02) 2 October 1958 (age 66) Reykjavík, Iceland
Political party	Independence Party
Spouse	Steinunn Kristín Friðjónsdóttir
Children	Kristín Unnur Mathiesen, Halla Sigrún Mathiesen, Arna Steinunn Mathiesen
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh University of Stirling
Profession	Veterinarian

Árni M. Mathiesen (born 2 October 1958 in Reykjavík) is an Icelandic politician. From September 2005 through 31 January 2009, he was Minister of Finance in Iceland. From 1999 to 2005 he was Minister of Fisheries. Mathiesen was first elected to the Althing (Iceland's parliament) for the Independence Party in 1991, when he was the youngest member of the Althing at the age of 33.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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. He was a member of the Board of the Guarantee Division of Aquaculture Loans 1990–94, of the Board of the Icelandic Veterinary Association 1986–87, and was on the Salary Council of the Confederation of University Graduates 1985–87. He was chairman of the team handball division of his local FH club 1988–90 and was a member of the Flensborgarskóli school board from 1990 to 1999. Mathiesen was an Icelandic representative on the Nordic Council 1991–95; he has been a member of the Board of Búnaðarbanki Íslands and of the Agricultural Loan Fund and the chairman of the Council of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mathiesen was also a member of the EFTA/EEA parliamentarians' committee from 1995 to 1999. He is the ADG of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department at FAO, in Rome, where he lives with his family, from 2010 to present.^[1]

• Politics of Iceland