Norway-based aquaculture equipment and services giant Akva has added to its Australasian team with the appointment of Keith Richford as general manager for the region.

Richford previously served as Akva Group's North America's general manager, working out of British Columbia. He has worked for the company in numerous roles in the Canadian province over 12 years.

Richford began his new role April 1 and will relocate to Tasmania later this year.

Akva Group reported a double-digit jump in operating profit last year, and saw a continued rise in order for both its land-based and cage-based technologies.

Akva increased earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) 24 percent to NOK 337 million (€33.4 million/$39.8 million) in 2020, while revenues rose 7 percent to NOK 3.2 billion (€316.8 million/$377.7 million).