To keep up to date with the latest personnel changes across the seafood industry, SeafoodSource is compiling a regular round-up of hiring announcements and other personnel-related shifts worldwide. If you have an announcement, please send it to [email protected].
– Cermaq’s head of Norway operations Knut Ellekjær has announced he is leaving the role after eight years.
When Ellekjær first joined Cermaq in 2016, he was new to the fish-farming industry but brought industry experience from a number of other food industries. Over the last eight years, he’s been a part of doubling the company’s volume and revenue.
“We have designed and are now launching a new strategy for the coming years, and it is natural that this will be continued with a new leader, while at the same time, it gives me an opportunity to look at completely different opportunities in the last part of my working life,” Ellekjær said.
Kristin Hurum, previously the director of HR, quality, and sustainability, will be taking over the role. She has 14 years of experience at Cermaq, starting as a sustainability manager before moving to her current position in 2014.
“I am very happy and honored to get the opportunity to lead Cermaq Norway,” Hurum said. “The reason I have accepted is that we have a very strong team with incredibly talented people. People are important; they are the ones who create the results. We have set ourselves exciting goals and a strategy with full emphasis on fish welfare and people, and I am looking forward to getting started on this work.”
Rafferty said the company was pleased it could find a replacement within Cermaq’s existing team.
"Knut Ellekjær has done a brilliant job at Cermaq Norway and leaves behind a company that is very well-equipped for further growth and development,” Rafferty said. “I have great faith that Kristin Hurum, with her expertise and solid background, alongside a strong management team, will take Cermaq Norway forward in a very good way.”
– The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has hired Karine Rød Haraldsson to serve as its seafood envoy to the U.S.
Haraldsson spent the last 12 years at Findus Norway, a frozen food brand, where she most recently served as the firm's business manager. Prior to that, she worked at Nortura, a food producer.
“I feel very privileged to be allowed to work to promote seafood products in the United States at a time that can be demanding for the export industry,” Haraldsson said.
NSC said Haraldsson will start in the new role in May but will also participate in Seafood Expo North America, which is running from 16 to 18 March in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
– Sunnmøre, Norway-based seafood company Mathias Bjørge has hired Erik McCoy to serve as the vice president of operations and supply chain at its recently created American subsidiary Mathias Americas.
McCoy brings 20 years of experience in the food industry, spanning restaurants and broadline distributors to seafood imports, to the role.
Mathias Bjørge CEO and Sales Director Torgeir Bjørge said the appointment is intended to strengthen the company’s U.S. expansion.
“I am confident we have found the right person to join our team. Erik brings valuable experience and a strong network,” Bjørge said. “Now, we will increase our presence in the U.S. and prove our commitment to providing high-quality seafood to the American market.”
Mathias Bjørge recently announced a major expansion in salmon with the support of JBT Marel.
