Terje Hellum, new CEO of Abyss Group.
Photo: Abyss
Aquaculture workboat and underwater service provider Abyss Group has announced the appointment of Terje Hellum as its new CEO from 22 June.
Hellum takes over from founder Victor Jan Jensen, who will continue with the company as executive chairman. Abyss said the new leadership arrangement will help ensure continuity, close cooperation between the board and management, and a smooth handover.
Announcing the news on its website, the company said Hellum brings "broad management experience from complex and demanding businesses and is known for clear leadership, high execution skills and a solid understanding of the interaction between strategy, operational management and organization."
“Abyss Group is a company with strong professional communities, ambitious owners and significant growth potential," Hellum said in a statement. "I look forward to getting to know the organisation and contributing to further developing the group together with employees, management and board.”
Hellum was previously managing director of the Molde-headquartered marine engineering firm Linjebygg AS.
“The appointment of Terje Hellum is an important strategic move for Abyss Group. We have great ambitions for the company, and with Terje in place as CEO we will have an experienced and unifying leader,” Jensen said.
The appointment of a new CEO comes at a strategic moment for Abyss, as it builds on a period of growth. Last October, the Kristiansund-headquartered company agreed to acquire Frøy Akvaservice AS from Frøy, with the acquisition completed in December, in a deal which saw the service boat company's workforce increase to 500 employees and its fleet reach over 60 vessels in Norway and Iceland.
The company also recently announced it was "investing heavily" in sea lice services, acquiring a new specialist barge and installing a delousing system in another service vessel, due to operate in Iceland for a five-year agreement as a multi-purpose vessel. Taken together, Abyss said the investments "makes the company a total supplier for fish farmers."