New CIO, Arnstein Hosaas, and new COO, Erlend Gundersen Røed, at AKVA Group headquarters in Klepp, Rogaland, Norway.
Photo: AKVA Group.
As we learned yesterday, the former COO of Sea Based Nordic at AKVA Group, Kristian Botnen, has become the new CEO of Benchmark Genetics, so, following his departure, the Norwegian aquaculture supplier has announced changes in its management team.
Effective October 1, Botnen's position as Chief Operating Officer of Sea Based Nordic will be filled by Erlend Gundersen Røed, who will also join the company's management team. The appointment represents a promotion for him after joining AKVA Group in the summer of 2024 as Director Supply Chain Sea Based Nordic.
Holding a master's degree in business and finance, and more than ten years of experience in the industrial sector, over the past decade, Røed has held management positions as project and integration manager, general manager of a production facility, and director of business intelligence.
"This is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to taking on the new responsibilities. The aquaculture industry plays an important role in ensuring sustainable food production, and I want to contribute to AKVA group's continued delivery of strong solutions and value creation for our customers," said Erlend Gundersen Røed.
"At the same time, I look forward to working closely with a strong team and building further on the competence that already exists within the organization," the new AKVA Group's COO said, commenting on his appointment.
Alongside Røed, the AKVA Group management team will also welcome Arnstein Hosaas, currently Innovation Director at the company, who will be promoted to the position of Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Sea Based Nordic.
Hosaas, who holds a master's degree in marine engineering from NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and in hydrodynamics from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, has also 14 years of experience in the oil industry in various technical, operational, and engineering roles, both nationally and internationally.
Earlier this year, AKVA Group also promoted Ståle Økland, formerly Group Director of Communications and ESG, to the newly-created role of Chief Commercial Officer.
Headquartered in Klepp, Rogaland, Norway, the Group, which describes itself as the "world's largest supplier of equipment and technology for aquaculture," has offices in Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Lithuania, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Chile, Canada, China, and Australia.
