Baldvin Thorsteinsson Appointed CEO of Samherji hf.

Leadership Transition in the Seafood Giant

Baldvin Thorsteinsson has officially taken over as the new CEO of Samherji hf., succeeding his father, Thorsteinn Már Baldvinsson, who has stepped down after an impressive tenure of 42 years at the helm since the company’s inception in 1983.

Expressing Gratitude for the Trust

The Board of Directors formally announced Baldvin’s appointment, highlighting him as one of the major shareholders of the company. Baldvin expressed his gratitude for the confidence shown in him, stating:

“Like many people from Akureyri, I started working for Samherji at a young age and have held various positions at the company over the years. I have therefore gradually become well acquainted with the company, its infrastructure and its employees. The close collaboration between my father and me has been important and rewarding. I hope that this experience, along with my roles in other companies, will provide a strong foundation for me as CEO.”

Changes in Leadership Structure

With this transition, Baldvin has also stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jón Sigurdsson, former CEO of Össur hf., has been elected as the new Chairman. Sigurdsson previously served on the board from 2002 to 2006, bringing valuable experience to the leadership team.

A Strong Foundation in the Seafood Industry

As CEO, Baldvin takes command of a robust company that has positioned itself as a leader in the global seafood industry. He shared his vision for building on the company’s successes:

“Samherji is a global leader in the seafood industry and has been well managed from the beginning. The company has prioritized reinvesting profits to enhance operations, including upgrading vessels, constructing new processing plants, and implementing cutting-edge technology that has received international acclaim.”

Innovation in Aquaculture

Under his leadership, the company plans to expand its role in aquaculture, particularly through Samherji Fish Farming, which has successfully reared Arctic char and salmon for two decades. Baldvin announced intentions to build a large land-based salmon farm in Reykjanes and complete renovations at the facility in Öxarfjördur, which are now nearing completion.

The Heart of the Company: Its Employees

Baldvin underscored the importance of employees in the company’s success, remarking:

“The employees are the heart of our operations, and the company’s success is primarily built on their expertise, dedication, and ambition. Many exciting challenges lie ahead, and I look forward to working alongside our strong team.”

A Diverse Professional Background

Baldvin Thorsteinsson holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland and has been with Samherji since his graduation in 2007. He has held various roles within the company and its subsidiaries, including serving as CEO of Icelandic Drilling and Managing Director of Alda Seafood. His experience extends to board memberships in several companies both nationally and internationally.

Personal Life

Hailing from Akureyri, Baldvin is married to Thóra Kristín Pálsdóttir, and they have three daughters. He has a profound connection to his roots, which he attributes as a driving force in his career.