Pettersen had left his role as Chief Executive Officer at Sterner, which he is now resuming, in June 2023.
Photo: Sterner Group.
Sterner Group has announced that its founder and former CEO, Bjarne E. Pettersen, has returned as Chief Executive Officer. Although the Norwegian water treatment company only announced the appointment now, he has been CEO since December 2025.
In a statement, Sterner explained that, following significant losses in 2023 and a high-cost base, it undertook a profound turnaround during 2025. The leading company in aquaculture technology, water treatment, and sludge management used this period to streamline operations, strengthen internal structures, and refocus the business on its core areas.
As part of this change, through his company, Pettersen repurchased the majority of Sterner Group's shares from Erich Erber. At the same time, the company's equity position was strengthened through a share issue, and a new management team has been appointed, which the company says brings strong professional and operational experience.
In announcing Pettersen's appointment, Sterner Group highlighted that its new/former CEO is taking over the role at a time marked by stabilisation, a clearer strategic focus, and targeted restructuring.
He replaces Stian Johnesen, who, in turn, took over from Marta Rojo Alonso, and who, last December, was appointed CEO of the Norwegian closed-containment engineering specialist Bluegreen Group to lead the scaling up and industrialization of the Marine Donut.
Bjarne E. Pettersen co-founded Sterner in 1990 and has previously led it through several phases of growth. Thus, the company highlighted his continuity, technical expertise, and deep understanding of the business.
Sterner also said that, at this stage, it is fully refocusing on its roots as a Norwegian provider of clean-water technology, with a primary emphasis on aquaculture and municipal drinking water. The strategy, it claimed, is built on proven technologies, local delivery, and high operational reliability.
The company's management and Board of Directors acknowledged that challenges remain, but the direction is clear. According to the Norwegian water treatment company's release, with Pettersen's return as CEO, this direction is now reinforced.
His mandate is to strengthen Sterner's Norwegian base, rebuild market confidence and offer solutions grounded in the company's extensive experience in water treatment.
"I look forward to building on the solid work that has been done," Bjarne E. Pettersen said, for his part, commenting on his appointment. "Sterner has sharpened its focus and strengthened its foundations. Now we will continue delivering what the company has always been known for: clean-water technology that works."
