STOCKHOLM, April 19 (Reuters) - Norway's $1.6 trillion

sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors,

will support a resolution calling for Goldman Sachs ( GS ) to

split the roles of CEO and board chair, it said on Friday.

Proxy advisors Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and

Glass Lewis have recommended that investors back a shareholder

resolution urging the bank to split the two positions, currently

held by David Solomon, at Goldman's annual meeting on April 24.

The independence of banks' leadership has been a hot issue

since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which operates the

Norwegian fund, is the 12th biggest investor in Goldman Sachs ( GS )

according to LSEG data, with a 0.84% stake in the Wall Street

bank at the end of 2023, valued at the time at $1.09 billion.

"The board should exercise objective judgement on corporate

affairs and be able to make decisions independently of

management," NBIM said in a statement explaining its vote

rationale.

Goldman Sachs ( GS ) has recommended investors reject the proposal

to split the two roles. The bank did not immediately reply to

Reuters' request for comment on Friday.

A similar proposal filed last year drew 16% support,

including from NBIM.

NBIM also said it would vote in favour of Goldman's pay

package for top executives.