Rebekka Herlofsen is making a somewhat surprising departure from her position as CFO of Oslo-listed shipping giant Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
Herlofsen came to the company in March 2017 and has been a “key contributor in the extensive merger process and establishment of Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA,” the company said.
Talking to TradeWinds, she insisted her choice is not dramatic.
“After 15 years in top management and as CFO for 10 years, I have decided that I wanted a somewhat freer role, so that I can involve myself across different companies, both as an investor, advisor and board member,” she says. “I do already have an exciting pipeline of possibilities, so this will not be boring.”
Today she is board member of the Norwegian oil company Equinor, since 2015.
She came to the tradition rich Norwegian shipowner Bergesen DY in 1999 and later worked for BW Gas.
Herlofsen, 49, worked for Torvald Klaveness for five years as CFO before joining Wallenius Wilhelmsen in 2017.
She has been one of relatively few high-profile female shipping executives in Norway. Herlofsen said she has never felt is as a disadvantage that there are few women in in executive positions.
“I have loved working in shipping. it is an international business with much tempo, and I have definitely planned to remain visible in this business, but with somewhat different tasks than a CFO,” Herlofsen said.
She will be leaving Wallenius Wilhelmsen in the summer 2020.
Company president and CEO Craig Jasienski said Herlofsen will be missed and thank her for “her tremendous contribution” for the company.
