Christine Iversen (left) and Gudfinna Traustadottir (right) are ready for new assignments serving Norwegian seafood in Germany and Portugal, respectively.
Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council.
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has today announced the appointment of new envoys to Germany and Portugal. Christine Iversen and Gudfinna Traustadottir, respectively, will take up their positions in these two long-established markets for Norwegian seafood exports in the coming months.
Both share a profile with extensive experience in international work, brand building, and consumer insights, as well as strong ties to their respective markets and a deep passion for Norwegian seafood.
They replace, respectively, Kristin Pettersen and Trond Rismo, who, according to the NSC statement, are leaving the Board after "successfully completing" their assignments in their respective markets.
Børge Grønbech, Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council, used the announcement of the new appointments to express the NSC's appreciation to the outgoing envoys. "It's a privilege to have talented and dedicated colleagues, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions," he said.
In the case of Trond Rismo, as NSC itself communicated when announcing his resignation, he will not continue his career within the Norwegian Seafood Council. From August, he will become the new Commercial Director of Andfjord Salmon.
In addition to Germany and Portugal, so far this year the NSC has already appointed new envoys to the Middle East, where Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit joined in April after completing his 5-year term as to Southeast Asia last summer; to the United States, where Karine Haraldsson took up her post this May; and to the United Kingdom, where the former envoy in Spain, Bjørn-Erik Stabell, will join next September.
The Norwegian Seafood Council is now relocating its headquarters in Germany from Hamburg to Berlin, where Christine Iversen will take up her new position on June 1. From the German capital, Iversen will lead the NSC's efforts in one of the largest export markets for Norwegian seafood products.
"Germany is the world's third-largest economy and an important and evolving food market. Most Germans have a close relationship with both fish and Norway, and with the current geopolitical situation, the market could become even more important going forward," Iversen said.
"I look forward to using all my experience and creativity to further develop the work the Seafood Council has done. I hope many in the industry will reach out so I can scout for opportunities with their products and ambitions in mind," she added.
With previous experience in Germany and the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Christine Iversen knows the German food culture, language, and business environment well. For decades, she has worked in marketing, innovation, and export in companies such as Tin, Norway's largest dairy cooperative, and Det Norske Brenneri, the first private distillery in Norway known for its artisanal products.
The Norwegian Seafood Council's next envoy to Germany noted that while more and more households are cooking at home due to economic pressures, seafood also features prominently in German restaurant choices. It is precisely the latter that makes her see great advantages in the decision to move the NSC's German headquarters from Hamburg to Berlin.
"Our statistics show a trend toward increased home consumption, especially of more affordable brands. At the same time, Germans spend more when dining out—and often choose seafood. This opens new opportunities in both retail and food service sectors," Iversen highlighted.
"Berlin is a center for culinary innovation and sustainability," she continued. "It hosts some of the most creative kitchens in Europe and has a broad network of researchers, food enthusiasts, and communities working for sustainable food systems. It's a perfect gateway to elevate Norwegian seafood in Germany."
The Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council, Børge Grønbech, welcomed Christine Iversen to the team. "Her broad experience in marketing and exports, as well as her understanding of the German market, will benefit the Norwegian seafood industry," he said.
For her part, the Norwegian Seafood Council's new envoy to Portugal, Gudfinna Traustadottir, will take office on August 1. Of Norwegian and Icelandic nationality, she lived eight years in Brazil, and, commenting on her appointment, highlighted the cultural and culinary ties between Brazil and Portugal as an advantage.
"I'm incredibly happy to work with Portugal," she stated. "There's a deep cultural and emotional connection to Norwegian clipfish here. Contributing to further developing this market and identifying new opportunities for Norwegian products is both a professional and personal motivation," Traustadottir explained.
"When I visited Lisbon for the first time, I felt like I was coming home," she continued. "The culture, language, and people strongly reminded me of Brazil. I look forward to applying my insights into consumer preferences and brand development in this exciting market."
With long experience in the consumer products sector and leadership positions in brand building, including marketing director at O. Kavli, a historic Norwegian food company, Gudfinna Traustadottir will focus on building on tradition while opening up new interpretations and consumer occasions.
With an average intake of 17.5 kg per person per year, the Portuguese are world champions in clipfish consumption, and the country is the largest market specifically for Norwegian cod clipfish. However, the NSC's new envoy to Portugal believes it still has great untapped potential for further growth, both in variety and depth.
"Clipfish and salted fish are Norwegian export treasures with over 500 years of history. At the same time, I've personally experienced how this traditional product can gain new life in new forms—for example, as Brazilian 'bolinho de bacalhau'. It's about connecting tradition and innovation and making seafood relevant for new generations," Traustadottir said.
"I want to contribute to consumer-driven innovation and enhanced industry expertise, so we can meet future challenges and strengthen Norway's position in the Portuguese market," she added.
As previously done to her counterpart in Germany, the Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council also welcomed Traustadottir to the position. "This is an appointment we have high expectations for. She brings strong commercial grounding and expertise in brand management, product innovation, and PR—qualities that the Norwegian clipfish industry will greatly benefit from," Børge Grønbech said.
