Fish farmers strengthen Grieg executive team
Norwegian salmon farmer Grieg Seafood has split its farming division into three as part of a management reshuffle.
Each sub-division – Farming Europe, Farming North America and a technological department – will be led by an experienced salmon farmer.
Farming Europe, covering the Finnmark, Rogaland and Shetland regions, will be led by Alexander Knudsen, who becomes chief operating officer of the sub-division.
Proven record
Grieg said Knudsen has been regional director of Grieg Seafood Rogaland in Norway since 2008 and has a proven record of delivering strong operational and biological results for many years.
Grieg Seafood chief executive Andreas Kvame told Fish Farming Expert the move wouldn’t affect the position of Grieg Seafood Shetland managing director Grant Cumming.
Roy-Tore Rikardsen will take up the position as chief operating officer Farming North America, covering the British Columbia and recently established Newfoundland regions.
He has been the regional director of Grieg Seafood Finnmark since 2014, and has overseen growth, biological improvements and strong results in the region in recent years. He also has more than 20 years of industry experience from companies like Lerøy, Akva Group and Ewos.
Technology
Grieg’s chief operating officer, Knut Utheim, will take up the position of chief technology officer. The technological department will cover areas with increased company commitments, such as sustainability, R&D and fish health and welfare.
Utheim has been Grieg Seafood’s COO since 2014, supervising the growth in harvest volumes from 65,000 tonnes in 2014 to 100,000 tonnes in 2020. He was the regional director in Marine Harvest central Norway for 10 years and has worked in the fish farming industry since 1990.
Strategic priorities
CEO Kvame said: “We have set ambitious growth and cost leadership targets towards 2025 and will increase our commitment to sustainable farming practices in all regions.
“In light of these strategic priorities, it is essential to add operational resources to Grieg Seafood’s executive management. With these changes, I am confident in our ability to reach our goals and create value for our local communities, customers, employees and shareholders alike.
“I am proud to say that it was easy to find the right capabilities internally. We have many talents on all levels of the organisation, who continue to impress me with their dedication to the company.”
Newfoundland
In other changes, Knut Skeidsvoll becomes regional director of the new region in Eastern Canada, Grieg Seafood Newfoundland Ltd.
Since 2014 Skeidsvoll has been managing director of Grieg Newfoundland AS, which was acquired by Grieg Seafood ASA last month.
Nina Willumsen Grieg is the new regional director of Grieg Seafood Rogaland. Grieg has been responsible for business development in Grieg Seafood as part of the global management team since 2017 and has more than ten years of experience from management and operations, including roles at Accenture and PwC.
Interim director
Grieg is currently on maternity leave and will start her new position upon returning during the first half of 2021.
Kjetil Ørnes will act as interim regional director of Grieg Seafood Rogaland until Nina Willumsen Grieg returns. Ørnes has been the sea water production manager of Grieg Seafood Rogaland since 2006.
Grieg Seafood will start the process of finding a new regional director of Grieg Seafood Finnmark AS, with the aim of recruiting internally.
