Norwegian land-based salmon farming company Salmon Evolution ASA has confirmed that CEO Håkon André Berg has resigned from his position.
The board of directors has acknowledged Berg’s decision and appointed CFO Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen as interim CEO with immediate effect.
Berg will be available for the company during a transition period, with the board of directors starting the process of recruiting a permanent replacement.
“It’s been a real pleasure leading Salmon Evolution through this very exciting period of time, where we have gone from being a small start-up to a large company with about 60 employees and a global presence. I firmly believe that the company is in a unique position and it has not been an easy decision to make. However, due to certain personal family matters, I have come to the conclusion that stepping down from my position as CEO is the best solution for both my family and the company,” Berg said.
The company’s nomination committee has proposed that Berg is elected as board member in Salmon Evolution. He has accepted the position.
Accordingly, the company will shortly call for an extra ordinary general meeting to facilitate this.
“The board of directors regrets that Håkon André Berg has asked for relief from his position as CEO. After joining the company in 2019, he has been instrumental in establishing Salmon Evolution as the global frontrunner within land-based salmon farming,” Salmon Evolution Chairman Tore Tønseth said.
“At the same time, the board of directors is pleased to have secured continuity with the appointing of Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen as interim CEO, whom together with the rest of the management team and the entire organisation, ensures that the company is very well equipped to deliver on both our strategy as well as our upcoming milestones.”
Schaug-Pettersen was appointed the CFO of Salmon Evolution in October 2020. Prior to joining Salmon Evolution, he served over four years as Senior Vice President Finance and Business Development at salmon farmer and processor Hofseth International and, prior to that, nine years as an investment banker at Swedbank/First Securities.
“Salmon Evolution is an amazing company with highly skilled employees and a unique company culture. We have some very exciting months ahead with our first harvest coming up shortly and where we will finally have our proof of concept demonstrated. On that basis, Salmon Evolution will have an unparalleled platform to expand our operations, both in Norway and abroad”, Schaug-Pettersen said.
The company expects to start harvesting of its first fish in early November.
