Norway's Grieg Maritime Group has elected two new board members.
Espen Gjerde, 43, senior vice president of Wilhelmsen New Energy, will join the board of the Bergen-based shipowner.
He is a director of Reach Subsea, Massterly, Topeka Holding, Loke Marine Minerals and Hyundai Glovis, and has worked for DNV, DVB Bank and SFL Corp.
“He has a background and experience we will need through the coming years, and we are truly grateful that he has chosen to share his competence with us,” Camilla Grieg, chair of the board, said.
Gjerde will keep working for Wilhelmsen.
“I’m eager to begin this journey, supporting the company to achieve its mission of creating maritime solutions for a better future,” he said in a post on LinkedIn.
“For a simple man from Bergen, with a nerdy excitement for ships and services around ships, this is a big deal.”
Gjerde is replacing Kai Grotterud.
Grotterud, who is chief executive of Eureka Shipping, joined the board of a newly integrated Grieg Star Group 15 years ago.
“Kai has been very important to us. His competence, understanding, analytical skills, gentle manners and shipping prowess have been vital to making Grieg Maritime Group what it is today,” Camilla Grieg said.
Grieg Maturitas’ new chief investment officer, Paal Espen Johnsen, is also joining the board this spring.
The chair reserved for the CIO of Grieg Maritime Group’s mother company has been empty since 2023, when Ragnhild Fresvik resigned.
Johnsen was investment director at oil service company Akastor, which is backed by Aker.
“For us in Grieg Maturitas, Paal will bring significant valuable experience to the position, with a sizeable background from business, including seafood and maritime industries,” Grieg Group said.
He will start on 1 May at the latest.
