Changes at the top for Benchmark Holdings

Trond Williksen has been CEO of the Benchmark Group since 2020 and has had a distinguished career in business, including spells as CEO at salmon giant SalMar and aquaculture technology business Akva.

Patrick Waty is currently CEO of INVE Aquaculture, an aquafeed and feed technology business within the Benchmark Group. He has worked in several aquaculture businesses in Belgium and France.

The other board changes include Pierre Hugo coming in as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Septima Maguire who stepped down from her role as Chief Financial Officer on 30 June 2025, as well as several changes in the non-executive director line-up:

• Therese Log Bergjord joins as non-executive director succeeding Marie Danielsson;
• Torgeir Svae will step down as the Board representative of Kverva AS and will be replaced by Frode Sandmark, acting as a non-executive director;
• Kristian Eikre will step down as the Board representative of FERD AS and will be replaced by Frida Lillebøe, acting as a non-executive director; and
• Jonathan Esfandi will step down as the Board representative of JNE Partners LLP and will be replaced by Michael Zhang, acting as a non-executive director.

As previously announced, Nathan "Tripp" Lane, Chairman of the company, will also step down when Benchmark completes its two de-listings, on 15 and 30 August.

Patrick Waty and Pierre Hugo will not become directors of the company.

In March this year, Benchmark Holdings sold its breeding and genetics arm, Benchmark Genetics, to Novo Holdings, the holding company for Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. Benchmark retained its animal health and nutrition businesses.

In May, Benchmark Holdings announced it would be de-listing its shares – so they will no longer be traded on the London and Oslo stock exchanges – and returning the proceeds from the sale of Benchmark Genetics to its shareholders, through a special dividend and buy-back scheme.

The company’s three leading shareholders – Ferd AS, the Witzøe family’s investment vehicle Kverva and London investor JNE Partners – did not take part in the buy-back scheme, and will now effectively take control of Benchmark Holdings.