Benchmark reorganises its team to focus on salmon

Aquaculture biotechnology company Benchmark Holdings is reorganising its marketing and commercial structure to create a combined Atlantic salmon portfolio.

Sales and marketing, and commercial functions for clients in the salmon sector, for the group’s Genetics and Animal Health arms, will now be brought together.

Since the beginning of the year, the marketing function for Atlantic salmon has been operating as a cross-business area hub led by Birgitte Sørheim, appointed as Marketing Director, Salmon.

The commercial functions within Health and Genetics will similarly be merged into one team led by Geir Olav Melingen, who will be appointed as Commercial Director, Salmon. His responsibilities will cover the commercialisation of Atlantic salmon solutions, including genetics, Ectosan Vet®, CleanTreat®, Salmosan® Vet and Purisan®.

Benchmark said: “There is a clear benefit to the customers having now one point of contact in Benchmark to service their needs for genetics and strategic sea lice management for Atlantic salmon.”

Geir Olav Melingen comes from the position of Commercial Director for Benchmark Genetics and has extensive managerial experience from various leading roles in the aquaculture industry, including The Bergen Aquarium, MSD, Fishguard and SalmoBreed. He is a  fish health biologist with a PhD from The University of Bergen.

Birgitte Sørheim, former Marketing Director for Benchmark Genetics, has held leading roles in sales and marketing in the salmon industry since the early 90s. Her career encounters positions in companies including Lerøy Seafood Group, Marine Harvest (now Mowi), and Fish Pool. Sorheim holds a bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture Engineering from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and an MBA in Brand Management from The Norwegian School of Economics.

Trond Williksen, CEO of Benchmark Holdings plc says: “The new organisation of our commercial and marketing functions is an important step to strengthen our customer reach and interactions and our brand recognition within the Atlantic salmon sector. The two new teams are a part of our group’s strategy of ensuring a complete offering to our customers.”