Ivan Vindheim, Mowi's current chief financial officer, has been appointed the new CEO of Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi. Vindheim succeeds Alf-Helge Aarskog who has decided to step down after almost 10 years as CEO.

The appointment takes effect immediately.

“I am delighted that Ivan has taken on this challenge," said Mowi Chairman Ole-Eirik Leroy. "We have had a thorough recruitment process where the board has been looking for the best candidate to lead Mowi going forward. Ivan has a strong commercial track-record and has the best qualifications for delivering on our corporate strategy. He also represents continuity."

Vindheim has been Mowi’s CFO since 2012. He has extensive experience from the seafood industry and has held various executive positions including as the CFO of Lerøy Seafood. Vindheim holds an MSc in business and an MBA from the Norwegian School of Economics, and is also a state authorized public accountant and certified European financial analyst.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead Mowi together with more than 14,500 highly competent colleagues," said Vindheim.

"It is with humbleness I take on this task. Mowi is the leading global aquaculture company and we have many opportunities ahead of us. The board’s strategy for Mowi of being a leading integrated seafood provider remains unchanged, and together with the rest of the organization I look forward to continuing to make Mowi a stronger company and execute on our strategy. Alf-Helge has been a great leader and colleague over the years and I would also like to take the opportunity to thank him for making such a valuable contribution."

Move breaks a decade of continous leadership

Alf-Helge Aarskog has been CEO of Mowi since July 2010.

Some of the key achievements during his leadership have been the creation of Mowi’s own fish feed operations, significant growth in value-added processing, substantial farming volume growth and most recently the launch of the company’s branding strategy.

“I am very pleased that Ivan takes over the helm and I would like to congratulate the board on making an excellent hire," said Aarskog. "The recruitment of an internal candidate also ensures continuity and should reassure everyone associated with the company that the business is in the most capable hands."

Kristian Ellingsen, group accounting director, has been appointed new CFO of Mowi.

Ellingsen has been in his current role at Mowi for four years. Prior to joining Mowi he was a director at PwC, where he worked for almost 10 years.

Ellingsen holds a Master's degree from the Norwegian School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in informatics from the University of Bergen. He is also a State Authorized Public Accountant.