Bjørn Erik Simensen (born 28 June 1947) is a Norwegian culture administrator and former journalist.
Starting his career as a journalist, he worked in Fredriksstad Blad[citation needed] and then in Sunnmørsposten from 1966 to 1972.
He then became director of Gothenburg Concert Hall from 1980 to 1984,[1] then of the Gothenburg Symphony before his first period as director of the Norwegian National Opera, from 1984 to 1990.
He oversaw the construction of the Oslo Opera House, which was opened in 2008.
[1] On 3 December 2007, Simensen was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.