Jens-Halvard Bratz

Jens-Halvard Bratz (21 April 1920 – 19 January 2005) was a Norwegian business executive and government minister with the Conservative Party. He served as Norwegian Minister of Industry from 1981–1983.[1]

Jens-Halvard Bratz was born at Østre Aker in Oslo, Norway. He was a student at Oslo Commerce School (Oslo Handelsgymnasium) (1940) with continued studies in England and the United States (1945-1946). Bratz was married in 1946 to Sissel Lie (1922-1983) and was a son-in-law of Trygve Lie, who served as the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.[2][3]

In 1941, he was first employed at the ironworks firm Grorud Jernvarefabrikk in Groruddalen followed by various positions with the firm. He was for many years director of the Grorud Jernvarefabrikk (1941-1981). The ironworks had been founded by his father Ragnvald Bratz (1889-1968) in 1917. [4]

He also served in the leadership of numerous organisations. He was vice-president and president (1971-73) of the Norwegian Industrial Federation and chairman of the Norwegian Industrial Bank (1984-88). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mechanical Workshop Association (Mekaniske Verksteders Landsforening) and served as chairman (1970-1981). [5] He was among the people who initiated the Norwegian Glacier Museum (Norsk Bremuseum) in Sogndal during 1991.[6][7]

Bratz also held various positions with the Conservative Party including chairman of the board of finance (1974-1981). [8] He served as Minister of Industry in the cabinet of Kåre Willoch from its accession in October 1981 until his resignation on 16 September 1983.[9][10] [11]