Paul Birger Torgnes takes over the helm of Torghatten Aqua

Earlier this autumn, it was announced that Stein Andre Herigstad-Olsen would take over as CEO of Torghatten Aqua. However, this will not be the case.

- We have learnt that Stein Andre Herigstad-Olsen has accepted a new job at Nordic Ferry Infrastructure. We had been looking forward to him starting with us. We understand the decision and are pleased that Herigstad-Olsen will continue to be an important local resource through the ferry company," says Frode Blakstad, Chairman of Torghatten Aqua.

- "Torghatten Aqua is an exciting company with projects I have great faith in. For a variety of reasons, I chose differently, but I continue to cheer on the company from the sidelines," says Herigstad-Olsen.

The Board of Directors of Torghatten Aqua has decided that Paul Birger Torgnes will take over as CEO of the company until a new CEO is in place.

- We have recently completed this recruitment process, where we had many good and qualified candidates. It was a luxury problem at the time, which makes us very confident that we will find a solution soon. We also have a very good intermediate solution with Paul Birger Torgnes, who knows the company best after 25 years of leadership," says Blakstad.

At the same time, the company is in the process of raising capital. Previously, the employees have been included on the ownership side. Now the local population and small investors are invited to become owners through a process coordinated by Folkeinvest.

- We are now in a very exciting time for Torghatten Aqua and Sør-Helgeland. I'm now stepping into the company I've helped to build, until we have a new leader in place. We are proud to invite more people to join the team to build this company further. We have a great team with highly skilled employees, so this will be good," says Torgnes.

Torghatten Aqua and its subsidiaries have big plans to realise the land-based fish farm Helgeland Miljøfisk and the hatchery at Vevelstad, both under the auspices of Aquaculture Innovation. The Norwegian Aquaculture Centre will produce 4,500 tonnes of salmon next year. Torghatten Aqua also owns Campus BLÅ, an education and course programme aimed at the marine and maritime sector.