Ståle Walderhaug, who has worked with the seafood industry for many years, will begin his new role in autumn 2025.
Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / FHF.
Ståle Walderhaug has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of Norway's FHF (Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund), bringing with him a strong background in research, leadership, and digital expertise, as well as extensive experience in the seafood and fisheries sector in Norway.
A civil engineer with a PhD in software development from The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Walderhaug has previously held various high-level roles at SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organisations, including Research Manager at SINTEF Digital and CEO of SINTEF Nord AS. Over the past year, he has worked as Director of Oil Spill, Monitoring, and Analysis at Kongsberg Satellite Services in Tromsø.
Walderhaug has also taught computer science and Ocean Leadership at UiT for the last 15 years. His previous work at SINTEF involved close collaboration with the fisheries sector, giving him in-depth knowledge of the seafood industry, FHF said in a press release announcing the appointment.
He will assume the leadership role in the autumn of 2025, succeeding Geir Andreassen, who is retiring after serving as CEO of FHF since 2014.
FHF board chairman Edmund Broback described Walderhaug as "an inspiring team leader who will take FHF forward in the years to come".
"Ståle has a very solid background and knows the industry well. His digital expertise is important to bring into the seafood sector, which is constantly seeking innovative, value-creating, and sustainable solutions. I would also add that Ståle is a down-to-earth person with solid leadership experience," Broback added.
"The desire to work with research and development in collaboration with the seafood industry became too strong to resist," Walderhaug said.
"The industry is extremely important to Norway, and it’s an innovative sector that truly embraces new research results. That’s why I’m really looking forward to taking on the role at FHF," he added.
Headquartered in Tromsø, FHF is a state-owned company under Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, and is fully funded by the seafood industry through a 0.3% R&D levy on all seafood exports. Each year, the fund invests around NOK 500 million (approximately EUR 43.8m / USD 47.4m) in research and development to support the sector.
