Cermaq’s CEO, Geir Molvik, wants to prioritize his time differently in the future and is passing on the baton to Steven Rafferty, current MD of Cermaq Chile.
Geir Molvik has more than 40 years of experience in the aquaculture industry and can look back at a long life at the cages’ edge.
“Geir has done a great job in developing aquaculture in Norway and internationally. For the past 15 years at Cermaq he has consolidated Cermaq’s position as a premium salmon supplier in Chile, Canada and Norway. We are very pleased with the job he has done and wish to thank him for the development of Cermaq and the solid results during his period,” said chairman of the Cermaq Group, Yasuhiro Kawakami, in a press release.
Prioritize
Molvik will lead the company until the current CEO of Cermaq Chile, Steven Rafferty, takes over as CEO from March next year.
“I have been privileged to work with aquaculture in all parts of the world since the 1980s and have been involved in a lot of exciting activities. Now a chapter has come to an end, and I want to prioritize my time differently going forward. Hence, I asked the board to find a replacement earlier this year,” said Molvik.
“We are very delighted getting Steven’s expertise to lead Cermaq in the future. With global, commercial and operational experience from the entire value chain within fish farming, he will be well suited to take over the management responsibility of Cermaq,” said Kawakami.
As CEO, Molvik has been concerned with improving operations in all parts of the value chain. In addition, he has positioned Cermaq to be a driving force in international cooperation on climate action and environmental performance in aquaculture.
“Our goal has been to establish aquaculture as part of the solution to global sustainability challenges. We produce healthy and climate-friendly food and must show that we develop the industry in a way that also satisfies society’s requirements,” said Molvik.
Molvik will also be available for Cermaq after the departure next year.
Revitalized
Steven Rafferty has been CEO of Cermaq Chile since 2019. The company has been revitalized under Rafferty’s management and is now delivering good results.
“Until March 2022, I will concentrate on completing the fantastic teamwork in Cermaq Chile that has put the company in a good position. Thanks to the solid efforts of our employees at many levels, the company delivers better than in a long time. At the same time, I look forward to leading Cermaq after Geir, who has given me a lot of support in recent years,” said Rafferty.
Rafferty has a long career in the aquaculture industry, and has held various management positions in international aquaculture companies over the past 20 years. He also has a background from Cermaq previously as CFO and responsible for maritime operations in the period 2008-2010. Cermaq is now starting work on finding his replacement in Chile, and will return with information when it is ready.
