Our international team of seaweed enthusiasts

Jon joined Seaweed Solutions in 2010. He has held several positions including Marine Biology Manager and Business Development Manager and has worked hands on with research, technology development, product development and sales. In 2015 he took over the role as CEO of the company. Previously, he spent 8 months at the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute in Qingdao, China with field work in Sanggou Bay, one of the world's largest areas of seaweed cultivation. Jon has an MSc in Marine Coastal Development from NTNU, Trondheim. He speaks Norwegian and English.

Maren joined the team in 2013, where she is currently responsible for Innovation and Business Development, including seed sales, customer follow up and marketing. With more than 10 years in seaweed farming and R&D, she has acquired hands on experience in the whole value chain, from breeding and hatchery techniques, to sea operations, processing and finished product. She has extensive experience with managing the company's R&D projects. Maren has a MSc in Biotechnology from NTNU, Trondheim. She speaks Norwegian and English. 

Diogo joined the team in 2013, where he is currently supporting and advising the seed customers on all technical aspects incl. seeding techniques, seafarm design and operations, based on his extensive hands-on cultivation experience, from nursery to harvest. He is also actively engaged in R&D work related to seeding technologies and farming optimization. He has previously held positions as Hatchery Manager, Sea Operations Manager and Cultivation Coordinator. Diogo has a MSc in Animal Science Engineering from the School of Agriculture in Lisboa. He speaks Portuguese and English. 

Ana joined the Team in 2020, where she is responsible for seed production and management of the company’s research activities. Combining a background as a post doctoral researcher on marine environmental chemistry and 5 years practical seaweed seed production experience she is continuously refining and improving the company’s seeding protocols. Ana has a PhD in Marine Science and Technology from the University of Cadiz (Spain), holding unique knowledge on characterization of marine systems, related with ocean pollution and acidification. She speaks Spanish, Norwegian and English.

Kristian joined the Team in 2021, where he is currently responsible for operations at the R&D farming sites, located in Frøya and Hitra. He also supports and advises seed customers on sea operations and farm design. He has been working in the Aquaculture Industry for 30+ years, 20 of those as Site Manager at various Salmon Farming Sites, along the Norwegian coast. Kristian studied Aquaculture in the Technical School Guri Kunna (Frøya/Norway). He speaks Norwegian and English. 

Frank joined the Team in 2012, where he assists strategy, public funding and new projects. He also supports R&D work on farming techniques and new technologies. He has 12 years of ocean wave energy and coastal engineering experience, being appointed Associate Director of the Wave Energy Centre in Lisbon, which he helped to create. Frank has a Graduation in Civil Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe (Germany). He speaks German, Portuguese and English. 

Tor Magne joined the Team in 2023, where he is currently responsible for Financial Management and Planning. Previously, he has held positions as Financial Officer at NTNU – handling budgeting and reporting for R&D Public Projects –, and at the leading Norwegian bank DNB. Tor Magne has a MSc in Economics and Administration from the Norges Handelshøyskole (Bergen/Norway), with a specialization in Finance. He speaks Norwegian and English. 

Isaac joined the Team in November 2021, where he is currently responsible for Technical Maintenance and Improvements, for the Nursery processes and facilities. He has over 17 years of valuable technical and management experience in Agriculture, specifically in the Mango Industry. Isaac studied Civil Engineering, Economy and International Business in Catholic University of Guayaquil (Equador). He speaks Spanish and English.

Magnus joined the Team in 2019, where he is currently supporting on the Hatchery and Nursery production. He is responsible for maintaining and preparing the facilities to produce seedlings. He also supports Sea Operations of our Seed Customers, on the strength of his previous experience as a deckhand at the kelp farm. Magnus studied Nature Management from VAL Technical School (Norway). He speaks Norwegian and English. 

Annachiara joined the Team in 2024, where she is currently taking part on the production of Gametophytes and Sporophytes. Moreover, she supports the R&D tasks carried out at the Hatchery, Nursery and Seafarms, while she perceives the impact of processes along the cultivation. Annachiara has a MSc in Global Change Ecology from the University of Trieste (Italy), with a specialization in Macroalgal Forest Ecosystems. She speaks Italian and English. 

Margot joined the team in 2025, where she is currently taking part on the production of Gametophytes and Sporophytes. She has previously worked in Macroalgae Conservation projects in the Mediterranean Sea and researched Oyster hatchery, where she developed skills in fieldwork, data analysis and scientific experimentation. Margot has a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Côte d'Azur (Nice/France). She speaks French and English. 

Adrien is conducting his MSc thesis at the Company, focusing on direct seeding techniques, for the sea cultivation of Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta. His research aims to optimize methods to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Adrien is currently pursuing a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Côte d'Azur (Nice/France). He speaks French and English. 

Hallvard joined the team as Chairman in August 2020. He has had a long career in the seafood and aquaculture related industries, including CEO of Akva group ASA, CEO of Aker BioMarine, General Manager and CFO for American Seafoods Group and Executive VP in Aker. He is currently holding Board positions at West Coast Salmon AS (Chairman), EnFlow AS, Scanbio Marine Group AS and Estramar Invest AS. Hallvard has a MSc in finance from the Norwegian Business School. He speaks Norwegian and English.

Nina joined the team as a board member in 2024. She has a strong professional background in aquaculture genetics after more than 20 years in the industry. She has extensive international experience from management of international companies and board positions in several countries. Nina has worked as a CEO for INAQ since November 2022. Prior to INAQ she worked 15 years in the salmon breeding company AquaGen, the global leader in salmon genetics, including seven years as the CEO of the company. Nina is a veterinarian with a PhD and also held the position as associate professor in aquatic medicine at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences.

David Buckeridge has 35 years of management experience in the life science and agribusiness industries. David has been a Partner/Retained advisor of Paine Schwartz Partners for the last 15 years, previously the CEO of Advanta, the largest independent agronomic seed business in the world at the time. He began his career with the multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, spending approximately 20 years in a variety of management positions. 

He also spent five years in Des Moines, Iowa, running the commercial operations for AstraZeneca’s seeds business in the US. From 1999, he was the global head of its plant biotechnology business. He has served as director and Chairman of a range of companies.

Alex Mayer Wolf joined the Board of SES in 2022. He has 12+ years experience in the agribusiness industry in various countries, and was formerly Country Manager for Nidera’s commodity trading and industrial activity in the Iberian peninsula. He previously held management positions in Nidera Seeds – a South-American based seed company engaged in both R&D and production/commercial activities.

Alex has Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from Wharton.

Michael joined the team as a board member in 2024. He is an impact investor and serial entrepreneur with a strong background from various sectors and his experience includes the role as CEO of Codfarmers. As the chairman in SeaForester, Michael is passionate about helping the ocean, making stakeholders understand the potential in seaweed forest restoration and the Blue Economy. He holds an MBA from Norges Handelshøyskole, specializing in accounting and technical analysis.

After working with seaweed as a youth in Frøytang AS, a previously family owned seaweed operation in Norway, he founded SES, where he was CEO until 2014. In 2016, Pål founded our sister company, Seaforester, which focus on kelp reforestation. Pål’s working experiences are all related to the ocean - as a successful entrepreneur in the aquaculture business with 12 years experience in the seafood and seaweed trade in Asia. Pål has a BSc with honors in Finance and Marketing from the University of Oregon, USA. He speaks Norwegian, English, Portuguese and Japanese.