To keep up to date with the latest personnel changes across the seafood industry, SeafoodSource is compiling a regular round-up of hiring announcements and other personnel-related shifts worldwide. If you have an announcement, please send it to [email protected].
– Helge Kvalvik has resigned as CEO of Frøya, Norway-based salmon-farming firm Måsøval, effective 30 June 2026.
Kvalvik has held the CEO position for the last three years and three months.
“I have had three very rewarding and exciting years at Måsøval, but I now feel it is the right time for me to seek new challenges,” Kvalvik said. “I would like to express my gratitude to the board and not least all the employees at Måsøval and wish them all the best going forward.”
Prior to his time at Måsøval, Kvalvik was the CEO of Trondheim, Norway-based offshore services company Boa Offshore for over 11 years, where he also started his career as a senior engineer. He also worked for over seven years at Wolvertem, Belgium-based construction company Sarens Group as a managing and regional director.
“The board of directors greatly appreciates Helge Kvalvik’s efforts and valuable contributions to the development of Måsøval during his tenure as CEO and wishes him all the best going forward,” Chairman of the Board Lars Måsøval said.
During the transition, Lars Måsøval will step in as CEO while continuing as chairman of the board until a new CEO has been hired.
– Monroe, Washington, U.S.A.-based smoked seafood brand Echo Falls Seafoods announced Kyle White as the new sales manager to oversee the company’s key retail accounts on the West Coast.
“I’m excited to join Echo Falls at such a dynamic time for the brand,” White said. “Echo Falls has built a strong reputation for quality and consistency, and I’m looking forward to working with our retail partners to expand the brand’s presence and bring our products to even more consumers.”
White’s career background includes over five years at Livingston, California, U.S.A.-based food and beverage manufacturer Foster Farms in both sales and customer service. White also has extensive experience in retail packaged sales, most recently managing national accounts for the Latitude 45 smoked salmon brand under Chilean salmon-farming firm MultiX, Echo Falls said in a release.
White will directly report to Jeff Gernand, who is Echo Falls’ director of national sales for branded products.
“Kyle has already hit the ground running, and we’re excited to welcome his energy and expertise to the team,” Gernand said. “His experience with national accounts will be a great asset as we continue to strengthen relationships with both new and existing customers.”
– Nelson, New Zealand-based salmon aquaculture company New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) announced the promotion of Katie Bennett to chief financial officer (CFO).
Bennett has been with the company since June 2022. According to NZKS, as CFO, she’s responsible for financial reporting and compliance, legal, and IT, the company said. Prior to her promotion to CFO, Bennett held senior roles as financial controller and head of finance and sustainability and helped lead the development of NZKS sustainability reporting, focusing on risk and process frameworks.
Prior to working at NZKS, she spent nine years working at London, England-based financial company EY, where she worked in financial controls, technical accounting, and governance.
– Phillip Kent is retiring from Redditch, Worcestershire, England-based seafood production company Blue Earth Foods after 18 years.
“I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to start the business, as well as influence and build it into what it is today,” Kent said on LinkedIn. “Along the way, I have been proud to work with a team of passionate, innovative, and caring people, and we have been supported by some first-class suppliers, many [of whom] have been with us from the very start.”
Kent started at Blue Earth Foods as managing director in August 2008, where he worked until December 2022. In January 2023, he was promoted to director. Prior to his time at Blue Earth Foods, he worked as the director of London, England-based food and beverage manufacturer Bakkavor.