Witzøe steps down as SalMar CEO
Gustav Witzøe has resigned as CEO of SalMar, the company he built into one of the world’s largest salmon farming businesses.
He dropped the bombshell last night without giving a specific reason why he was stepping down at a time when SalMar is poised to complete the takeover of the NTS integrated aquaculture group.
The new CEO is Linda L. Aase, who has been a member of the SalMar board since June 2020. She has held a number of senior management positions with major companies including Rolls-Royce Marine and Aker Solutions.
Witzoe started the business over 30 years ago, and it is understood he plans to remain on the board. He said he was very proud of what SalMar had become, adding: “We are a unique team of skilled employees in all parts of the company.
“We have important partners among the owners, in the private business sector, in academia and among the authorities who share our ambitions for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. I’m looking forward to the idea of everything we will continue to create and that Linda has taken on the task as team captain.”
SalMar’s Chairman Leif Inge Nordhammer said: “On behalf of all of us at SalMar, I would also like to thank Gustav for his enormous, unique, and tireless efforts for SalMar over 31 years. Without Gustav’s extensive knowledge and innovative power, SalMar would not have been the company it is today.
“SalMar will continue to use Gustav’s experience and expertise, and he will, among other things, actively contribute to the NTS process.”
He added: “SalMar has developed a strong operational organization with a focus on biology and cost efficiency throughout the value chain, and we intend to develop this further with Linda at the helm.
“Linda’s experience from other industries will also be very relevant for the further development of SalMar.”
Linda L.Aase
