Erling has extensive international experience within culture and business, and holds the post as Honorary Consul for Latvia in the larger region where he resides. He has worked actively with cultural exchange programs across borders and with all levels of people. His experience ranges from project leader, CEO and Chairman of boards in various companies and organisations. Among others, he has been the Secretary General of Norwegian Jazzforum, Member of the Advisory Board for music within the Norwegian Foreign Department. Furthermore, Erling was in the reference group working for The Norwegian Education and Culture minister when the ”Cultural Schoolsack” was develeoped, he led the support group around the Norwegian writer Axel Jensen and has created and maintained ”Together in Music”, which is an international music festival for people with special needs. He is a board member of Punkt Festival and Chairman of the Board of Sound of Happiness, and is currently developing K35, an intimate international culture-house and activity centre. He has local, regional and national lobby experience.

Erling believes that a day without true values is a bad day. He understands the need for commercial undertakings to fund value-driven organisations.