Paul Jordahl resigns as CEO of Orkla Foods Europe

Paul Jordahl (62) will step down as CEO of Orkla Foods Europe as of 1 November 2023. Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen will take up the role temporarily from the same date.

“The establishment of Orkla Foods Europe as a portfolio company has now been completed and a comprehensive strategic plan has been drawn up. The company has a new external Board Chair and a very competent Board of Directors. The company is solidly positioned for value creation going forward. This therefore makes it a good occasion for me to wind down after many eventful years at Orkla, where I have had the pleasure of heading a variety of business areas and companies,” says Paul Jordahl, who will become a member of the Board of Directors of Orkla India and Orkla Home and Personal Care.

Mr Jordahl has served as CEO of Orkla Foods Europe since May 2022. He began his career in Orkla in 2004 and has held a number of prominent management positions, including as CEO of Orkla Foods Norge, Orkla International and Abba Seafood. Mr Jordahl also has more than 15 years’ experience from Kraft Foods in the Nordics and Baltics.

As Mr Jordahl now wishes to step down from the role of CEO for Orkla Foods Europe, Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen will be appointed as Acting CEO. Mr Nagel Johansen has been a member of Orkla ASA’s management team since 2012 and is currently EVP & Investment Executive. He has held a number of senior management positions at Orkla since he joined the company in 1993, including as CEO of the former business area Orkla Foods.

“I want to thank Paul for the valuable job that he has done for Orkla over many years. We appreciate the fact that we will continue to benefit from his experience and expertise since he will sit on the Board of Directors of Orkla India and Orkla Home & Personal Care,” says Orkla President and CEO Nils K. Selte.

“Paul Jordahl done a great job as CEO of Orkla Foods Europe from its establishment and up to the present. Now that he wishes to resign, I am glad that Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen will take up the role,” says Xavier Belison, Chairman of the Board of Orkla Foods Europe.

Orkla Foods Europe is the largest wholly-owned portfolio company in Orkla. In 2022, the company had a turnover of NOK 17.8 billion and operating profit EBIT (adj.) of NOK 2 billion. At year-end the company had around 6,000 employees in 12 countries.

Orkla Foods Europe offers well-known local branded products to consumers in the Nordics, Baltics and Central Europe. The products are primarily sold through the grocery channel, but the company also holds strong positions in food service, convenience stores and petrol stations. Its many widely known brands include Felix, TORO, Grandiosa, Stabburet, Vitana, Hamé (incl. Majka), Abba, Fun, Beauvais, Paulúns, Den Gamle Fabrik and Kalles.

For further comments, please contact:

Dag Olav Stokken, SVP Communications Orkla Foods Europe

dag.olav.stokken@orkla.no, +47 916 65 078