All change at top for Biofish and Iceland Seafood
There has been a change at the top at two leading seafood businesses – the smolt breeder Biofish and leading processor Iceland Seafood International (ISI) .
Torbjørn Skulstad has decided to step down as CEO of BioFish while, after five years in charge Bjarni Ármannsson is leaving the top role at ISI.
The new Biofish CEO is Sondre Hagerup Johnsrud (pictured) who takes over on 1 October.
Current CEO Skulstad said that he decided to go following the planned completion of the RAS facility at Ljones this month.
Sondre Hagerup Johnsrud has extensive experience from operational, strategic and management positions in leading aquaculture companies such as Bjørøya AS and Midt-Norsk Havbruk AS. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Trondheim Økonomiske Høyskole.
The Biofish board said that they wanted to thank Skulstad for his contribution as CEO, emphasising that he will remain as a board member of BioFish Holding AS.
Johnsrud said: “It’s a huge vote of confidence to be the leader of such a strong and experienced team. I look forward to continuing to develop the company further by making more production capacity operational and producing high performing and robust post-smolt.
He added: “Producing post-smolt with a high quality can solve several of the industry’s largest challenges in a sustainable way.”
Ægir Páll Friðbertsson, incoming CEO, Iceland Seafood International
Meanwhile, the new CEO at Iceland Seafood International is Ægir Páll Friðbertsson. He has been Chief Operating Officer at the fishing company Brim hf. for the last five years and has worked in the seafood industry for most of his professional career.
He holds a business degree from the University of Iceland and a master degree in finance.
Bjarni Ármannsson said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to lead Iceland Seafood for the last almost five years. It’s been a time of learning for me and characterized by volatile externalities that have at times been challenging. I would like to thank the people I’ve worked with and the board of Directors in particular for its continued support.
He added: “The Iceland Seafood group is a strong entity with a very good potential for profitability and growth going forward.
“Its unique position in delivering quality seafood to its customers, particularly in Europe is something that has been developed for a very long time and remains with many good opportunities.”
Bjarni Ármannsson
