Torghatten Aqua has hired Stig Tore Laugen as its new Director of Investor Relations (IR) and Communication. Before deciding to work in aquaculture, Laugen has led the communication department of the Nordic renewable energy company Aneo.
Regarding this change of professional trajectory, the new director said: "The aquaculture sector undoubtedly faces challenges, which I want to help address. I strongly believe that Torghatten Aqua's exciting focus on more land-based farming is part of the solution. I am very eager to get started."
"I am proud and humbled to have the opportunity to work with all the talented, energetic, and dedicated people in the company. I have already met some of them and have been inspired. There is a lot of determination and drive here," he added.
Additionally, Laugen has worked as a journalist at VG and Dagens Næringsliv. Later in 2015, he held the position of communications director at BN Bank and as group director of communication and corporate responsibility at TrønderEnergi. Finally, he has experience as a board chairman.
Moreover, Torghatten Aqua CEO Øyvind Løvdahl explained: "Laugen will play a central role in raising capital for Torghatten Aqua's land-based aquaculture projects in the subsidiary Aquaculture Innovation."
"He has extensive knowledge in business development and significant experience in engaging with various investor groups, in addition to working extensively in communication and community relations. Laugen will bring a lot to us," Løvdahl concluded.
Torghatten Aqua AS is an investment and development company group engaged in sea-based aquaculture production, land-based aquaculture production, education, knowledge development, knowledge dissemination, and consulting for the seafood industry.
It is a group consisting of 14 companies and has its roots on the Helgeland coast in Toft, Brønnøy municipality. The group has a total of 60 dedicated and skilled employees. The company is listed on Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange's NOTC.
In March, the Group bought bought up 66% of shares in Norwegian seafood consultancy INAQ, with the remaining 34% taken over by its employees.
In contrast, Torghatten Aqua is itself partly-owned by Norwegian aquaculture firm Nova Sea, after the salmon farmer, the largest in Northern Norway, bought a 33.4% stake in the investment firm in February 2024.