NOFI appoints new CEO

Publisert 05.06.2025

His brother Torgrim Rørtveit (56) has led the company since 2001, and from the same time he will take on the position Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Torgrim Rørtveit has himself taken the initiative to step down as CEO and put forward the idea that Asbjørn Rørtveit should take over. After a good process, the board has concluded that this is a good solution for the group. In its assessment, the Board of Directors has placed particular emphasis on NOFI's need to further strengthen the Group's sales efforts, particularly in aquaculture and floating structures. In addition, the board has emphasized that Asbjørn Rørtveit is well suited to take over the role as CEO of NOFI.

"After having been CEO of the Group for 25 years, I look forward to having Asbjørn as CEO, so that I can focus even more strongly on the tasks I am most passionate about, namely sales and marketing work," says Torgrim Rørtveit.

Ever since their father and founder of NOFI, Trond Johan Rørtveit, suffered a stroke in 1997, the brothers have had central roles in the business. Torgrim Rørtveit has been active in day-to-day operations, while Asbjørn Rørtveit has been central to the company's board.

"I am proud and happy to be able to take over the baton from Torgrim and look forward to working side by side to further develop NOFI together with all 150 dedicated employees in the group," says Asbjørn Rørtveit.

Asbjørn Rørtveit has worked for the Norwegian Seafood Council since 2009, where he has been Director of Market Insight and Market Access, and Seafood Envoy to Southeast Asia. He has a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of South-Eastern Norway and a PhD in Marketing from UiT-The Arctic University of Norway.

"It has been an enormous privilege to work together with the seafood industry to promote the fantastic Norwegian seafood to the whole world. I strongly believe that Norwegian seafood will continue to grow and become even more important for Norway as a nation. NOFI represents one of many important supplier companies that have contributed to the growth of the seafood industry, and I believe it is precisely companies like NOFI that will help shape the future of aquaculture in Norway," says Asbjørn Rørtveit.

Asbjørn Rørtveit will take over the role of CEO from 1 September, while Torgrim Rørtveit will then take on the role as CCO.

"Torgrim and Asbjørn will together ensure that the transition takes place in the best possible way for the Group's subsidiaries, customers and employees. Initially, Torgrim will remain chairman of the board of the subsidiaries Allmaritim AS and NOFI Oppdrettservice AS, while Asbjørn will take over the role of chairman of the board of other subsidiaries, says chairman of the board Petter Høiseth.

NOFI is an innovative industrial group that develops, manufactures and sells products and services worldwide within the maritime market. Based on research and development and a strong focus on the ocean and the customer, NOFI creates sustainable solutions that help ensure a clean and vibrant coast through cost-effective and solid quality products.

Sobriety in combination with curious and skilled employees with good business acumen are important ingredients that have shaped the NOFI Group. The positive development the Group has had is due to good interaction at all levels, and where the efforts of each of the Group's 150 employees make a difference every single day.

In Norway, NOFI is a medium-sized company in fisheries and aquaculture. Worldwide, NOFI has the most advanced equipment for collecting oil spills at sea.

"I think few people in Tromsø are aware that we have a world-class company in this area, which is so crucial for the world's oil spill preparedness," says Chairman of the Board Petter Høiseth. With Asbjørn in place as the new CEO and Torgrim in his new role as CCO, I am confident that the foundation has been laid for a continued positive development for the Group," concludes Høiseth.

The NOFI Group consists of several companies - all with their main areas within the maritime market. The head office and a large part of the production are gathered in Eidkjosen on Kvaløya just outside Tromsø.

In addition, the Group has departments and subsidiaries in the municipalities of Karlsøy, Senja, Skjervøy and Hammerfest, as well as sales offices in Bergen and Brazil, through its subsidiary AllMaritim AS.

NOFI also has a store in Tromsø city center that offers a large selection of workwear, protective equipment and fishing gear.

The family company Rørtveit Holding is the majority owner of NOFI AS (51%). The other owners of NOFI are Casper AS (16%), Rita Davidsen (16%), Dag Nilsen (10%) and Olav Småbakk (7%).