Presenting companies: McKinsey | Highliner Foods | Aon | Salmon Evolution | DNB Bank ASA | Mercuri Urval
Speaker presentations & panel discussion
Navigating risk for sustainable growth in seafood markets
As the global population grows, the demand for food from the ocean increases. How can we minimize operational, regulatory, and market risks to maximize the availability of ocean-derived proteins on our dinner plates? McKinsey hosts a 2-hour session Thursday 6thMarch on how different global industries have navigated these topics. The session will include speakers from inside and outside the seafood industry, concluded by a panel discussing how the seafood industry can best position
Chair:
Anders Milde Gjendemsjø
Partner - McKinsey
Anders is a Partner in McKinsey & Co’s Oslo office. Based in Bergen, he leads McKinsey’s global seafood practice, supporting clients across species, across the value chain, and across geographies. His areas of expertise include strategy, transactions, and at-scale corporate transformations. Outside of work, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast enjoying skiing and hiking in the beautiful Norwegian mountains together with his family. Anders holds MSc and PhD degrees in engineering from Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway. Prior to joining McKinsey, Anders has experience from investment banking in the seafood industry.
Speakers
Is the demand for seafood increasing?
Paul Jewer
President & CEO - Highliner Foods
Paul was appointed as President & Chief Executive Officer in December 2023. Previous to that he served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, since February 2014. Prior to joining High Liner Foods in 2014, Paul was CFO with Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery and food distributor. He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and began his career with Ernst & Young LLP providing audit, tax, valuation and business advisory services for a variety of clients in various business sectors. Prior to joining Sobeys Inc. in 2003, he held a number of progressively senior finance positions in the technology sector. Paul graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Acadia University. In 1997 he received his Chartered Accountant's designation. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He is currently Treasurer of the Groundfish Forum, a member of the executive of the National Fisheries Institute, a board member of Norcod, and a board advisor to Andfjord Salmon. Paul is also Chair of Sport Nova Scotia and a member of the Advisory Board of FM Global Canada. Paul is an Honorary Governor of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, having completed a seven-year term as Chair of the Board. Paul is also past Chair of the Board of Governors of the Halifax Grammar School.
Is the risk in the seafood industry increasing?
Ciara Jackson
Global Food, Agribusiness & Beverage Leader - Aon
We are honored to welcome Ciara Jackson to the North Atlantic Seafood Forum 2025. With a distinguished career spanning over twenty-five years, Ciara has navigated a diverse range of industries, from food manufacturing to financial services, and professional services to risk consulting. Her extensive experience includes working with renowned global businesses such as Aon, Grant Thornton, Kerry Group, and GE Money, where she has held pivotal roles in financial, operational, commercial, business development, strategic, and leadership capacities.
Ciara is known for her commercial acumen and client-focused approach. She has consistently demonstrated a strong track record of delivering results under pressure in fast-paced, ever-changing environments. Her key strengths lie in her ability to distill complex situations, recognize and prioritize key challenges, and identify and implement appropriate solutions.
How does landbased farming capitalize on the industry’s opportunities and address its challenges?
Tore Tønseth
Chairman, Salmon Evolution
Why DNB likes salmon farming
Anne Hvistendahl
Global Head Seafood - Ocean Industries
DNB Bank ASA
Anne Hvistendahl has been heading DNB Seafood globally for the last 13 years, and has been working with seafood in DNB from different angles since 1995. DNB is the world’s largest seafood bank with an exposure north of 100 billion NOK based on the strong position and success of their clients. DNB is involved along the entire salmon value chain – from feed raw materials to the dinner plate, and has a unique ability in combining debt and equity financing. The bank is also involved in advisory and financing related to the new frontiers of salmon farming. From their offices in Santiago, New York, London and along the Norwegian coast, DNB Seafood does business with 17 of the world’s 20 largest salmon farmers globally. DNB has arranged green and sustainability linked bonds and bank facilities around 133 billion NOK to the Seafood industry the last few years. Thus we mirror the strong trend in the salmon farming value chain
