New CEO of Orkla Foods Norge

Paul Jordahl (53) has been appointed the new CEO of Orkla Foods Norge.

Jordahl will take up the position on 1 December 2014, becoming part of the Orkla Foods management team and reporting to Atle Vidar Nagel-Johansen, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Orkla Foods business area.

Paul Jordahl has held various management positions at Orkla since joining the group in 2004, including that of CEO of Abba Seafood (Sweden). He was appointed Executive Vice President and CEO of the Orkla International business area in 2012. He also has more than 15 years' experience from Krafts Foods' Nordic and Baltic operations. He holds a business economics degree from Norges Markedshøyskole (NMH).

"We are very pleased that Paul Jordahl has agreed to become CEO of Orkla Foods Norge. The company's most important tasks going forward are to generate growth through strong innovations and improve competitiveness throughout the value chain. Jordahl's broad management experience and robust background in Nordic and international brands make him the right person to lead Orkla Foods Norge," says Orkla President and CEO Peter A. Ruzicka.

Orkla Foods Norge was established in the autumn of 2013 through the merger of Stabburet and Rieber & Søn Norge. Considerable cost synergies have already been achieved. The company has focused more intensively on innovation and strengthened its position in the Norwegian grocery market by amalgamating Stabburet and Rieber & Søn Norge's sales divisions.
"I look forward to leading one of Norway's largest and most exciting branded consumer goods companies," says Paul Jordahl.

1 December 2014 will also herald a change in Orkla's group structure, with Orkla International becoming part of the Orkla Foods business area. The new business unit - Orkla Foods International - will comprise MTR Foods (India), Vitana (Czech Republic) and Felix Austria (Austria), and will be headed up by a new CEO. Atle Vidar Nagel-Johansen will chair the boards of the three companies in the new business unit for a transitional period.

Chaka (Russia) will become part of the Orkla Confectionery & Snacks business area.

A structured sale process is currently proceeding with the aim of divesting Orkla Brands Russia. Paul Jordahl will continue to chair this company in the interim. A new head of the International Sales unit will be appointed to succeed Jordahl.

Orkla ASA
Oslo, 21 November 2014

For further information:
Executive Vice President and CEO Orkla International
Paul Jordahl
Mobile: +46 703 354 197

Group Director, Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs
Håkon Mageli
Mobile: +47 928 45 828