Salmon farmer adding “farming capabilities to its executive team to bolster focus on operations”.
In a statement on the Oslo Stock Exchange on Monday, Grieg Seafood has announced a big organisational shift at the very top level. In a bid to reach its than 150,000 tonnes by 2025, the salmon farmer explained that its new farming division will be divided into three areas which include:
- Farming Europe, covering the Finnmark, Rogaland and Shetland regions
- Farming North America, covering the British Columbia and recently established
Newfoundland regions - A technological department, covering areas with increased company commitments, such as sustainability, R&D and fish health & welfare.
Alexander Knudsen will take up the position as Chief Operating Officer Farming Europe. Knudsen has 24 years of experience from the salmon farming industry. He has been the Regional Director of Grieg Seafood Rogaland since 2008.
Roy-Tore Rikardsen will take up the position as Chief Operating Officer Farming North America. He has been the Regional Director of Grieg Seafood Finnmark AS since 2014 and has more than 20 years of industry experience from companies like Lerøy, Akva Group and Ewos.
Knut Utheim will take up the position as Chief Technology Officer. Utheim has been the Chief Operating Officer of Grieg Seafood since 2014, supervising the growth in harvest volumes from 65 000 tonnes in 2014 to 100 000 tonnes in 2020. Utheim was the Regional Director in Marine Harvest central Norway for 10 years and has worked in the fish farming industry since 1990.
Commenting on the changes, CEO Andreas 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 organization, who continue to impress me with their dedication to the company,” he added.
Grieg Seafood said will also start the process of finding a new Regional Director of Grieg Seafood Finnmark.
The company is targeting 100 000 tonnes of harvest (GWT) in 2020.
