Cermaq Norway boss steps down

Knut Ellekjær has decided to leave Cermaq after eight years as the head of Cermaq Norway's operations.

"After eight years, it is the right time to pass the baton. They have been fantastic years in a strong, engaged, and competent organisation, with large investments, and a doubling of volume and turnover with a clearer responsible profile," said Ellekjær. 

"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," added the 63-year-old. "The fact that Kristin Hurum – one from our own ranks – has been chosen to take over the role is something I am very proud of."

'Strong team'

Kristin Hurum, 56, has a degree in business organisation and worked in the banking and consulting industry before she started at Cermaq. She is currently the director of HR, quality, and sustainability, and has worked at Cermaq for 14 years, first as the sustainability manager in Cermaq Group before her move to Cermaq Norway and her current position in 2014.

“I am very happy and honoured to get the opportunity to lead Cermaq Norway. 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,” said Hurum.

Cermaq Group chief executive Steven Rafferty is pleased to have found the right candidate to take over after Ellekjær from within the company.

Positioned for growth

"Knut Ellekjær has done an excellent job in Cermaq Norway, and leaves behind a company that is very well positioned for further growth and development. I have great faith that Kristin Hurum, with her expertise and solid background, and together with a strong leadership team, will take Cermaq Norway forward in a very good way," said Rafferty.

Ellekjær will have his last working day at Cermaq on May 31.

Cermaq, owned by Japanese industrial giant Mitsubishi, is the world's third largest Atrlantic salmon farmer, behind Mowi and SalMar. Accoring to figures from analysis firm Kontali contained in Mowi's 2024 Salmon Farming Industry Handbook, Cermaq produced 174,000 gutted weight tonnes in 2023 - 88,000 gwt in Norway, 80,000 gwt in Chile, and 6,000 gwt in Canada (British Columbia).