Williksen was previously CEO of SalMar, one of the world's largest producers of farmed salmon. Prior to this, he was CEO of AKVA group, the leading global aquaculture technology and service provider for six years. He previously held a number of senior roles in Aker ASA's Seafoods, Ocean Harvest and BioMarine divisions.
The 56-year-old has also held a number of advisory and non-executive director roles in the industry including as chairman of the board of The Research Council of Norway, Oceans Portfolio; chairman of Mørenot Group, which provides solutions to fishery and aquaculture customers; chairman of Calanus AS, a biomarine company; and board member of SinkabergHansen, a Norwegian integrated aquaculture company.
Following the appointment, Peter George will revert to his former position as non-executive chairman. He commented: "I am delighted to welcome Trond to Benchmark. He brings deep, relevant aquaculture expertise and has proven operational, strategic, M&A, and managerial experience spanning both producers and technology providers in the industry.
"I am confident that under his leadership and with his industry expertise, Benchmark will emerge from the current more difficult environment to realise its potential to become a profitable leading provider of sustainable solutions to the global aquaculture industry."
Williksen said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join Benchmark, a leading provider of sustainable solutions to the global aquaculture industry. Benchmark is strategically well positioned within a sustainable industry that holds vast opportunities and potentials for the future. I am looking forward to joining a very competent team, positioning and executing on a strategy for profitability and growth in the future."
