Håvard Walde appointed Skretting’s salmon operations managing director across four regions

NORWAY – Skretting, a global leader in aquafeed, has announced that Håvard Walde has officially assumed the role of Managing Director for its salmon businesses in Australia, Chile, North America and Norway, effective May 1. 

 The move signals a strategic consolidation of leadership at a time of increasing complexity and opportunity in the global salmon industry.

Walde, who brings over two decades of aquaculture experience, has spent the last 17 years with Skretting in progressively senior roles. 

For the past five years, he served as General Manager of Skretting Norway, following a 12-year tenure as the company’s Finance Director. 

His promotion follows the transition of his predecessor, Dag Engelsvoll, into a senior advisory role within the company. Both Walde and Engelsvoll remain integral members of the Skretting leadership team.

“It is a testament to the resilience and strong performance of the team in Skretting Norway that I now step into this role, which also aligns with our focus on people development by promoting leaders from within the company,” said Walde.

Walde will retain his leadership of Skretting Norway until a new General Manager is appointed, ensuring continuity in one of the company’s most critical markets. 

During his leadership, Skretting Norway weathered challenging market conditions by fostering stronger collaborations with customers and suppliers, achieving measurable gains in customer value.

In his expanded role, Walde will oversee operations in four of Skretting’s most strategically significant salmon markets. His responsibilities span geographically diverse and operationally complex regions, each with unique customer needs and regulatory environments.

“I am truly excited about working closely with the Skretting teams and their customers to drive growth in Australia, North America and Chile,” Walde said. 

“Skretting is the market leader in all of these regions thanks to strong local leadership and high-performing teams, and we will collaborate closely with other salmon businesses and the land-based segments across the globe.”

Walde emphasised that his leadership will be grounded in a commitment to customer engagement, continuous innovation and sustainability, hallmarks of Skretting’s global strategy. 

“We will continue to drive value through customer intimacy, innovation, sustainability and a relentless focus on cost efficiency for ourselves and our customers,” he added.

The announcement underscores Skretting’s ongoing investment in leadership development and global coordination, especially in regions where salmon aquaculture plays a pivotal role in food production and economic growth. 

By appointing a seasoned internal leader, Skretting is reinforcing its emphasis on promoting talent from within while ensuring experienced guidance across its core markets.

As the company continues to navigate evolving global demands for sustainable aquaculture, Walde’s appointment is seen as both a stabilising and forward-looking move. 

With his deep understanding of Skretting’s operations and culture, Walde is expected to drive cross-regional collaboration and align the company’s efforts with broader industry trends.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.