Tom-Jørgen Gangsø will be the new country director for Italy

"We are delighted that Tom-Jørgen is taking over responsibility for the Italian market in the near future. Italy has demonstrated good growth potential and is a very important market for the Norwegian seafood industry. With his solid expertise and experience from our strategic processes, he is well equipped to take our marketing work in Italy further", says Børge Grønbech, Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Looking forward to the opportunity

In 2022, Italy was the 9th largest market for Norwegian seafood, with an export value of NOK 6.6 billion. This figure represents a growth of 30 per cent compared to the previous year.

"I greatly appreciate this opportunity to represent the Norwegian seafood industry in a key European market. With its long traditions for the consumption of dried fish and other conventional products from Norway, as well as tremendous growth in salmon consumption over the years, it is a very exciting market to enter. I take on this responsibility with both pride and humility", says Tom-Jørgen Gangsø.

An industry expert with extensive experience

Gangsø is currently director of the Norwegian Seafood Council's department for market insight and market access. He is originally from Lenangen in Troms and has been connected with the seafood industry for most of his career.

Tom-Jørgen Gangsø has been associated with the Norwegian Seafood Council since 2012. Here he has worked extensively with analysis, market access, marketing, collaborative activities with the industry, as well as leading the strategy work for the most important commercial seafood species since 2017.

Gangsø has an Executive MBA in management in the seafood industry from the Norwegian School of Business and Economics and a master's degree in innovation and entrepreneurship from the School of Business in Tromsø.

Building on an already strong platform

"I look forward to entering into a close dialogue with industry players who are working in and towards the Italian market in order to discover good strategies for jointly developing further the market for Norwegian seafood. I want to build on the good work that has been done so far and will contribute to our Norwegian seafood products strengthening their position in the market, and especially the species and products for which we have budgets today", explains Gangsø.

New announcement in 2024

Tom-Jørgen Gangsø replaces Gunvar L. Wie (44), who has applied to be relieved of his role as Country Director for Italy.

"To ensure that we quickly get a replacement in place, the Norwegian Seafood Council has currently recruited a working country director from our own organization for the period from summer 2023 to summer 2024. We are then planning a broad external and internal call for a regular Country Director period", says Børge Grønbech.

Wie will finish his mission in Italy at the start of summer in order to ensure a good transition process with Gangsø. Wie will then join the Department for Global Operations for the Norwegian Seafood Council in Tromsø.

Tom-Jørgen Gangsø in position from July 1

"Gunvar has represented Norwegian seafood in an exemplary way in the Italian market. On behalf of the Seafood Council, we would therefore like to thank him for his tireless efforts and the important work he carried out in Italy", says Grønbech.

Tom-Jørgen Gangsø takes up the position of Country Director for Italy on 1 July.

At the same time, the Norwegian Seafood Council's Børge Lotre takes over as Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council's Department for Market Insight and Market Access. He will be part of the Council´s management team.