 He was originally head of the judicial and financial department, but was then promoted to Director-General (CEO) in 1941.After the German occupation of Norway, the Germans wanted to further increase output of heavy water; the situation escalated, until Hydro's top management protested, and in early 1943, Bjarne Eriksen, the company's managing director, was arrested and sent to a concentration camp in Germany.After the War, Erikson returned to his position, where he remained until 1956; after this he was chairman of the board from 1957 to 1960.