Mowi R&D chief Øyvind Oaland will take charge of the Norway farming region next week. Photos: Mowi.

Mowi R&D boss named as Norway farming chief

The world’s biggest Atlantic salmon farmer, Mowi, has named its new chief operating officer farming for its most important region, Norway.

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Øyvind Oaland has held a variety of executive positions in Mowi and moves from the position of chief technology officer.

Oaland holds a Masters in Veterinary Medicine from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science.

Ivan Vindheim: Appointment "a significant step" towards increased licence utilisation and reduced costs.

Reduced costs

“I am very pleased that Øyvind has accepted this challenge,” said Mowi chief executive Ivan Vindheim.

“He is very knowledgeable and possesses extensive farming experience after 20 years in various key positions at Mowi.

“Øyvind’s appointment is a significant step towards facilitating increased licence utilisation and reduced costs in Norway, our most important farming region.

“The new farming structure with separate COOs for Farming Norway, Scotland & Ireland, and Americas and the Faroes strengthens our leadership resources in farming and enables us to adopt an even more hands-on approach than today.”

Catarina Martins will take over R&D.

Double role for Martins

Mowi’s chief sustainability officer, Catarina Martins, will replace Oaland at the head of Mowi’s global R&D team, while retaining her sustainability role.

Martins holds a Masters in Marine Biology from Lisbon University in Portugal, a PhD in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a MBA from The Norwegian School of Economics.

“Mowi’s commitment to sustainability and research and development is of utmost importance,” said Vindheim.

“Thus, I am delighted that Catarina is willing to also take charge of Mowi’s global R&D team. Catarina is a very competent and dedicated individual, and with this appointment I am sure that our global R&D team is in the best hands.”

The changes will be effective from next Tuesday, April 14.

New responsibilities

The Group Management Team from that date will comprise:

  • CEO: Ivan Vindheim
  • CFO: Kristian Ellingsen
  • COO Farming Norway: Øyvind Oaland
  • COO Farming Scotland and Ireland: Ben Hadfield
  • COO Farming Americas and the Faroes: Per-Roar Gjerde
  • COO Sales & Marketing: Ola Brattvoll
  • COO Feed: Atle Kvist
  • Chief Technology Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer: Catarina Martins
  • Chief HR Officer: Anne Lorgen Riise