Norwegian land-based salmon producer Viking Aqua has found itself a new director of business development: Even Hopland.
Hopland moves from one of Norway's oldest salmon companies to one of its newest ones. Previously CEO of salmon and trout group Sekkingstad (founded in 1923), Hopland announced he had decided to leave the Group in February of this year.
An experienced seafood industry executive, prior to becoming Sekkingstad's CEO in 2019 Hopland had been responsible for sales, slaughter and processing units within the Group, both in Norway and Denmark. With a Master's degree in Financial strategy from BI Norwegian Business School, Hopland has also held a variety of board positions in the seafood industry, and brings to the table what Viking Aqua describes as "versatile leadership experience from finance, retail, and consulting".
In a Norwegian-language statement, Hopland applauded Viking Aqua's plans for future innovation in land-based aquaculture, noting that the company has been "an active voice in the industry for the development of Norwegian salmon, especially sustainable solutions."
"Viking Aqua is the most visionary project for land-based salmon farming. They have assembled a highly competent team to realize the plans," Hopland continues.
"Now that they have developed an innovative and commercially exciting concept that combines the lowest emissions for food production with good returns for investors, it was not a difficult choice to make; I want to be a part of this," he said.
"We greatly appreciate the trust that Even shows the company, and with him on board, he complements the already strong team in place. Even has broad and versatile experience, but particularly important for us is his experience with the downstream part of the value chain," said Ingar Valvik, CEO of Viking Aqua.
"Even's area of responsibility will be related to business development in the various areas of focus in the company, and his expertise in finance will come in handy. We will produce, slaughter, process, and sell a large volume of salmon, and with Even's experience, we increase the chances of strengthening and optimizing our business areas," concludes Valvik.
Hopland will formally take up the position on August 1st of this year.
Viking Aqua is a land-based salmon farm in Norway that supplies the global market with plastic-free, tasty, fresh, and ethical proteins. The company describes itself as "the world's most sustainable circular-production salmon farm". Still under construction, the future facility, designed to provide the conditions for total control of ecological safety and fish welfare, will be located in Skipavika, on the west coast of Norway.
