IntraFish: How did you begin working in the seafood industry?
Britt Kathrine Drivenes: I am educated within finance and accounting, and my first job was with an accounting firm. My clients were mainly engaged in the fields of fish farming and fisheries. In 1986 I was asked by one of my clients in fish farming whether I would take employment with that company, and I have been working in the seafood industry ever since. At the time I received the offer to work with the fish farming company I was late in my first pregnancy and commenced my maternity leave almost immediately after joining the company.
I worked there until the company was sold in 1990, after which I commenced working for the Mogster family in their offshore and fishing company. In 1991, the Mogster family wished to expand their fishing activities, and I was asked to join the company which today is Austevoll Seafood ASA.
It has been a privilege to be a part of the “journey” to develop the company into the global player that Austevoll Seafood ASA is today, having its main activities within the pelagic sector and aquaculture. I have experienced very few dull days at work during these years!
IF: What attracted you about the seafood industry?
BKD: I would say the diversity of the seafood industry, and being close to the total value chain from catch (pelagic) and smolt (aquaculture), via processing and logistics to the market. In my first period at Austevoll Seafood ASA I worked mostly with the fishing vessels, and I will particularly draw attention to the excitement linked to the catching activity. This is catching wild fish, and it triggers the hunter in a person. The excitement of calling the vessels to hear if they have catch onboard; the excitement when they have caught fish, and of quality exploitation of the fish and price achievement.
Fish farming is still a young industry in Norway, however it has been extremely interesting to follow the development of the industry. And not least, I am impressed by the innovation from the participants in the industry, and their determination and capability to solve the challenges that the industry has experienced during these years.
IF: What obstacles have you faced in your career a man might not have encountered?
BKD: I do not have a clear answer to this. I have been very well received, and have experienced confidence and trust in my favor to perform larger tasks to work with from my principals. I have not felt that being a women has been a problem in my job.
That being said, in reality this industry has been and still is dominated by males. However, I meet a lot more women in different areas of the industry today than when I first started working there. I also believe that the startup of YoungFish will give an opportunity for young people to establish meeting places where they can meet with established participants in the business and share know-how, expertise and build good networks.
IF: Would you encourage other women to seek a career in this industry? Why?
BKD: Yes absolutely. It is a very interesting industry with great diversity, and also an important industry when it comes to covering the future requirement for food to the increasing population of the world. The industry is international and requires people having education in almost all categories.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring female seafood executives in the industry?
BKD: The same advice I would give every youth. Find out what you would really enjoy working with, and get a good education within that field. In addition, it is valuable to have good work ethics, to push for excellence, and have an interest in the work you do.
IF: What are the biggest challenges facing female seafood executives in the industry?
BKD: I have probably been lucky with my workplace, however, I really hope that we have come so far now that it is our qualifications and not the gender which decides our possibilities for future careers. I would in general say that it is important to connect with people who support you and cheer you on, no matter which industry you are in.
It is also important to recognize that we all have private lives. I guess others besides me have felt that it is at times difficult to balance work and family life. However, family and private life are important, also for being able to function well at work. Balancing work at home between the partners so in order that for both can to develop and have a career, helps a lot.
IF: How can the industry recruit more women into the sector?
BKD: By showing the diversity and work opportunities within the industry. And I also think that we who work within the industry, and especially us women, must be good at communicating our experiences and the possibilities of jobs and careers within the industry.
IF: Why are there so few women in executive roles in seafood?
BKD: In general there are fewer women than men in executive positions in most industries. Again qualified women must apply for executive positions, and not be afraid of doing things one is not necessarily or absolutely certain of being able to manage. I would like to repeat that I hope qualifications as opposed to gender decide who lands positions both in the seafood industry and other industries.
IF: If there were one thing you could change about the industry to make it a better place for women workers, what would it be?
BKD: I have not experienced this industry as not taking good care of women. One must be qualified for the work one is doing, have involvement and passion, and the determination to work hard.
IF: What was the dumbest advice a man in the seafood industry has ever given you?
BKD: I have probably avoided dumb advice from men, or I may not have heard it. I cannot recall any at the moment.
