Norwegian Seafood Council appoints new UK director

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has appointed Bjørn-Erik Stabell as its new UK director, succeeding Victoria Braathen, who has led the Council’s UK marketing efforts since September 2022.

With a background in fast-moving consumer goods marketing from his time at Procter & Gamble, and over two decades of experience at the NSC, Stabell brings a unique blend of commercial insight and seafood industry expertise to the role, the NSC said a press release. In his most recent position as head of strategy and sustainability, he played a central role in shaping the NSC’s global sustainability agenda and market development strategies.

Stabell’s international experience includes serving as NSC director for Spain, where he led in-country marketing activities, and as global marketing manager in Norway, where he was instrumental in developing the global whitefish marketing strategy.

A very important market

He said: “The UK is a very important market for Norwegian seafood. Together with my local colleague Bojana, my good colleagues at the NSC in Tromsø and the Norwegian exporters, I am looking forward to embarking on such an exciting assignment as this. It will be fun to create something together with strong and skilled players in both Norway and the UK.

“I’m fortunate to follow in the footsteps of accomplished professionals who have held this role over the past three terms. Their work has laid a strong foundation we can continue to build on.”

Stabell’s global profile has grown in recent years through extensive participation in international seafood industry events, where he has engaged leaders on sustainability, trade, and aquaculture, and contributed to discussions on innovation, transparency, and trust.

Favourites and new fish

“My focus will be to highlight the benefits of Norwegian seafood - from the coveted favourites cod and haddock to emerging species making their way on to menus, such as Norwegian saithe,” he added.

His tenure will begin with a series of initiatives, including an educational trip to Norway for UK hospitality stakeholders, followed by a roundtable event hosted by Seafood from Norway ambassador chef Michel Roux. High on the agenda will be the NSC’s sponsorship of the National Fish & Chip Awards.