Cermaq makes changes at the top after £738m Grieg deal
Salmon farming heavyweight Cermaq has made several changes to its global management team following the integration of operations bought from Grieg Seafood in Norway’s Finnmark region and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada.
Cermaq, the world’s third largest five Atlantic salmon producer, said the changes will strengthen alignment, coordination, and innovation across the regions.
Silvia Segnini has been appointed chief financial officer, Snorre Jonassen steps into the newly created role of chief operating officer, and Bendik Fyhn Terjesen becomes chief technology officer.
Segnini joined Cermaq in 2007 and has contributed strongly across the business since then. Her expertise spans treasury, tax, accounting, insurance, mergers and acquisitions, and post-merger integration.
“Silvia knows this company inside and out, and she has played a significant role in building the finance function we have today,” said chief executive Steven Rafferty.
Jonassen moves to the new COO position from his role as integration director in Cermaq Group. He has held senior management positions in Cermaq Norway for many years, and as COO he will facilitate best practice in operations across all regions and support the operating companies in executing the Group's strategy and priorities. The role also oversees fish health and welfare, fish feed and communication.
Cermaq said integration remains a major task, particularly in Canada. Experienced fish farmer and manager Grant Cumming, who was previously chief operating officer farming Canada for Grieg Seafood after spending much of his career in Scotland, will lead this work as Canada integration director.
Technology under one team
Technology innovation in landbased, sea water, and sustainability will be brought together in one team, which also covers digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI).
“The purpose is to drive technology development as a growth enabler across all operational areas,” said Rafferty in a press release.
The team will be headed by Dr Bendik Fyhn Terjesen as chief technology officer (CTO). He will continue to report to the CEO and not be part of the global management team.
“These changes will strengthen the Group office as a resource centre for the operating companies and make the global management team more effective in pursuing our growth targets and strategy objectives,” said Rafferty.
Cermaq, owned by Japanese industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi, produces around 200,000 gutted weight tonnes of salmon annually, primarily in Norway, and also in Chile and Canada.
