Cermaq's Knut Ellekjær will be handing over to Kristin Hurum
Knut Ellekjær, the head of Cermaq’s Norwegian operation, is to retire after almost a decade in the top post.
He said: “After eight years, it is the right time to pass the baton on. It has been a fantastic year in a strong, committed and competent organization, with major investments, and doubling of volume and turnover with a clearer responsible profile.”
Taking over will be Kristin Hurum, a member of the executive management team who has been with Cermaq for the past 14 years.
Knut Ellekjær added: “We have designed and are now launching a new strategy for the coming years, and it is natural that this will be taken forward with a new leader, while at the same time providing an opportunity for me to look at completely different opportunities in the latter part of my working life.
“The fact that Kristin Hurum – one of our own ranks – has been chosen to take over the role is something I am very proud of.”
Kristin Hurum is a Master of Science in Economics and has a background in banking and consulting before joining Cermaq. She is currently Director of HR, Quality and Sustainability, and has worked at Cermaq for 14 years, first as Sustainability Manager in Cermaq Group, before moving to Cermaq Norway and her current position in 2014.
She said: “I am very happy and honoured for the opportunity to lead Cermaq Norway. The reason I have accepted is that we have a very strong team with incredibly talented people.
“People are important – they are the ones who create the results. We have set ourselves exciting goals, and a strategy with full emphasis on fish welfare and people, and I am looking forward to getting started on this work.”
CEO of Cermaq Group, Steven Rafferty, said he is pleased to have found the right candidate to take over from Ellekjær internally.
Rafferty said: “Knut Ellekjær has done a brilliant job at Cermaq Norway, and leaves behind a company that is very well equipped for further growth and development. I have great faith that Kristin Hurum, with her expertise and solid background, and together with a strong management team, will take Cermaq Norway forward in a very good way.”
Ellekjær’s last working day at Cermaq will be on 31 May.
You May Also Like
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from Fish Farmer Magazine
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2025 Fish Farmer.