Mowi’s new production director settling into Scotland
Roar Paulsen started a new job as Mowi Scotland’s production director on May 1 and says he has had an exciting and challenging first month.
The 56-year-old Norwegian was previously at salmon farmer Lerøy, where his roles had included chief executive of Lerøy Hydrotech and production director of the company’s central Norway production area, Lerøy Midt.
“The aquaculture industry is an exciting and fantastic industry that is constantly evolving, where you produce fantastic food, get to work in nature with biology, people, fish, and are allowed to be part of the blue revolution. The new job is exciting with many new impressions, new environment and new culture,” he says.
Paulsen currently spends his time getting to know people and visiting Mowi’s facilities and farm sites around Scotland.
“There is a lot to get acquainted with in the new job, and I’m spending the time getting to know the employees, learning the names of locations, the boats and people.”
His ambition for his new employer is sustainable growth.
“Employees in Mowi Scotland are interested about what the new leader is like and whether it will change their everyday life,” says Paulsen.
Streamline production
“One of the jobs I will do is to help Mowi and the employees increase and streamline production. I am now working on getting an overview, getting to know everyone, to become a better discussion partner in the job of ensuring development.
“I have been well received here in Scotland, there are a lot of good and dedicated people who do a good job for Mowi.”
Grew up in aquaculture
Paulsen has had various jobs in the aquaculture industry over the past 35 years.
“My father was a fisherman and you could say I grew up in the aquaculture industry, as my father was one of those who started Hulsvær salmon farming in 1976. I started my career in the aquaculture industry as a 15-year-old, where I worked as a part-time and summer helper.”
Paulsen still has a house in Norway, but has moved to Scotland, and says he will establish himself in Fort William.
“I have some knowledge of Scotland and have actually been here a lot in my spare time as me and my partner have refurbished a cottage that we bought here a few years ago,” he says.
The seven-year itch
Paulsen says the years he has had in the Lerøy Group have been a fantastic journey and has every faith that the company, which co-owns Scottish Sea Farms, will continue to do well.
“I have had many different roles over the years and sincerely believe that you should let go of a position after a while - I think you should not be in a leading role longer than seven years. One should let in new people who come in with new ideas.
“It is also important that you develop as a person and you do this by taking on new challenges in new roles, then you develop the company and at the same time yourself.”
