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    • Our commited team
    Our people are one
    of our most
    valuable assets
    Our team is committed to
    rising the standards of the industry

    We are committed in developing high performance teams as an important step in building a world-class company. We are proud to count on our team experienced people from a range of countries and backgrounds, who are leverage their experience and know-how to ensure the most efficient, sustainable and responsible practices.

    Head of Production
    David Cahill
    • Fish production operations management and new project development expert with 28 years of international experience, majority of which was with some of the biggest salmon producers in the world.
    • Former Consultant and Program Manager of an aquaculture development program funded by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture. This program is focused on achieving targets in the 2030 economy diversification vision of developing 600,000 tons of cage finfish aquaculture production.
    • Previously was Director of the Fish Business Unit of Saudi Arabia’s largest shrimp and fish aquaculture operation. He installed 3 new offshore farms in 2 years with combined capacity of 15,000 tons. He overcame technical problems in the broodstock/hatchery, expanded the business into fish processing, and latterly managed international sales and logistics. Over his 3 years of service, he built up a high performing international team through all levels.
    • Spent 5 years as the General Manager of Aquaculture for Huon Aquaculture, Australia’s second largest salmon producer. He trebled production to 15,000 tons per annum and covered marine site management, boat building, new site and equipment development, fish health management, feed development and contracts, environmental management of operations, R&D, government liaison, and obtaining global certifications. He also strategized 5-Year growth and development plans with budget and KPIs (financial and operational), and recruited and developed a high performing management team. The Huon business
      achieved a successful IPO at the end of his tenure.
    • Also served as Hatcheries Manager at Huon Aquaculture for 3 years, responsible for the operation of 5 hatcheries and the development of 2 large RAS systems.
    • For 6 years was a Regional Business Manager for the world’s largest Atlantic salmon farmer, Marine Harvest (“MH”), in Scotland, in charge of production of 18,000 tons per annum from 17 farms and 125 employees. Was part of select team that achieved compound growth of 36% per annum for the company via organic expansion and acquisition, and cut operating costs by 25% through business evolution. During his 18 years at MH, he developed an in-depth understanding of farm management and operating / technical processes, feed development and strategies to optimize fish performance and risk management.
    • Also served as Fresh Water Manager for MH in Scotland for 5 years, responsibilities included production of 12 million smolt, 18 million fry and 50 million eggs from 2 broodstock farms, 9 Loch sites and 7 hatcheries including 2 RAS farms. Part of the team that led the merger of 2 of the largest salmon farming businesses in Scotland
    Global Head of RAS Management
    Allan Haavapuu
    • Ten years of experience in aquaculture and managing recirculating aquaculture systems.
    • Former Project Manager for Cleveras, a global RAS technology, and services provider.
    • Previously a Service and Aftersales Manager for CM Aqua Technologies from 2017 to 2019, focusing on RAS water filtration, sludge treatment, disinfection, and oxygenation.
    • Manager at AKVA Group Denmark from 2015 to 2016 in charge of RAS management support for Middle East projects.
    • In 2014 and 2016, Assistant Manager and Water Quality Consultant at Danish Salmon, where he managed the Atlantic Salmon RAS grow-out in Denmark.
    • From 2013 to 2014 served as Production Manager for National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) in Saudi Arabia, where he managed the 3,000m3 marine RAS nursery for Asian Seabass.
    • Production Manager for Ösel Harvest from 2010 to 2012 in Estonia, where he led the entire process of RAS Trout production.
    • Bachelor’s Degree in Sciences – Agricultural enterprise management from Estonian University of Life Sciences.
    Head of Smolt Production
    Jimmy Alonso Carrillo
    • Over 10 years of experience in aquaculture and managing recirculating aquaculture systems.
    • Former Fish Farm Grow-Out Manager and Development Engineer for Aquabounty Farm, a RAS facility in Indiana.
    • Previously at Invermar from 2010 to 2017, most recently as Head of Planning and Production Control where he supervised the application of the production plan from planting to harvesting.
    • From 2016 to 2017, was a AKVA Control Management System Super-User for Invermar.
    • Served as Head of Fresh Water Department from 2015 to 2017 where he planned and controlled the entire fresh water production process: reproduction, incubation, alevin period, and smoltification.
    • Facility Manager of Recirculating Systems from 2010 to 2015 where he led the entire production process.
    • Recirculation System Assistant with Marine Harvest Chile from 2007 to 2009 in charge of first feeding and smoltification.
    • Bachelors Degree in Engineering Sciences – Aquaculture and Fish Farming from Universidad Católica de la Santísma Concepción in Chile
    Head of Sales & Marketing. CEO of Pure Salmon Middle East.
    Rod Maxfield
    • More than 20 years working internationally in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) multinationals across Europe, The Middle East, Africa and Asia, where he amassed a successful record of both start-up and business disposals consistently delivering and exceeding business objectives.
    • Spent last 4 years as Director Middle East and North Africa at National Aquaculture Group. Retained initially as consultant to develop Sales, Marketing and NPD strategy, then requested to remain and execute the strategy. Has been responsible for local and international sales with specific focus on Saudi Arabia, China, Japan and Far East.
    • Prior to that, provided expertise and consulting services to businesses operating in, or wishing to enter, the Middle East and Africa Region. Delivering strategic planning support, building organisational frameworks, financial structuring and manufacturing through to route to market and on the ground execution in sales and marketing.
    • Former Head of Middle East and Africa at Novartis Consumer Health. Restructured 2 former single business units into new Middle East and Africa Operating Region combining over 32 countries into 7 customer facing business units with MD’s reporting centrally to this position. Additional functional direct reports included QA, R&D, Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain.
    • Also was CEO FMCG at Al Khayyat Investments for 4 years, where he was recruited to build and develop 3 Sales and Distribution Divisions and troubleshoot Fitness Division and Group Logistics function. Major focus on setting strategic agenda and new business development.
    • Former Vice President Customer Development (Asia Africa Middle East) at Unilever Plc, from 2000 to 2009. Within AAME leadership team, functionally responsible for sales, trade marketing and operations within a $500 million 40+ country Food Service and Solutions business spanning Australia, Asia, Africa and Middle East. Major focus on organizational capability building, setting sales and customer marketing strategy and management of global accounts through team of account directors.
    • Prior to that, was Managing Director of Inchcape Plc, responsible for three divisions; Sales and Distribution, Contract Catering and Retail.
    • Director Europe of Pepsico, from 1990 to 1996. European leader of global management development team responsible for implementation of best practice, strategic development tools, operational excellence and cross-functional management development.
    CFO
    Steve Wang
    • Steve has 17 years of professional experience in broad areas of Finance across geographical regions.
    • Prior to joining Pure Salmon, he was the former CFO of Crystal Jade Holdings Group, an F&B group company owned by a private equity Fund.
    • Steve brings with him a wealth of knowledge on FMCG businesses, having worked for 14 years in Unilever, a top FMCG company.  He was responsible for financial accounting & reporting, treasury and internal audit for all entities within North Asia.
    • Steve was also the North Asia Controller for a EUR4 billion business unit of Unilever and is experienced in improving business performance, partnerships, post M&A integration, investor relations and transformation management.
    • Steve holds an MBA from National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan and B.A in Risk Management and Insurance from National Chengchi University, Taiwan.
    Head of Strategy
    Léa Renard
    • Prior to be a full time employee at Pure Salmon, Léa was running her own boutique consulting firm in strategic communications since 2016. She consulted for a wide range of companies across different work cultures worldwide, focused mainly on formulating communication strategies to serve fundraising purposes.
    • As a consultant, Léa worked for 8F/Pure Salmon since their inception. At that time, she was mainly responsible for the creation and coordination of all marketing initiatives.
    • Prior to be a full time employee at Pure Salmon, Léa was running her own boutique consulting firm in strategic communications since 2016. She consulted for a wide range of companies across different work cultures worldwide, focused mainly on formulating communication strategies to serve fundraising purposes.
    • As a consultant, Léa worked for 8F/Pure Salmon since their inception. At that time, she was mainly responsible for the creation and coordination of all marketing initiatives.
    • Formerly, she managed the marketing and communications department of inGaia for 4 years, a startup which soon became the largest real estate marketplace in Brazil. Under her management, her team successfully developed the go-to-market strategies of five new business verticals.
    • She worked for a year as project manager at Saguez-and-Partners, an integrated communications agency based in Paris, where she had as client top food and luxury companies.
    • Léa worked as an assistant and analyst of a lobbying firm based in Paris where she worked closely with official members of the French government and EU institutions.
    • Passionate and engaged in causes related to the protection of the environment, responsible food consumption and new forms of education.
    • Léa speaks fluently 4 languages and holds a masters degree from Sciences Po Paris.
    CEO of Pure Salmon Japan
    Erol Emed
    • Over 20 years of experience in investment management and business development.
    • Former Chief Investment Officer, Head of Alternative Products and member of the executive board of directors for Société Générale Asset Management (“SGAM”) Japan where he worked for close to 17 years until 2007.
    • Key achievements in SGAM: Successfully receiving the mandate from Japan’s largest public pension fund, GPIF, and managing it for 10 years during which he was the top performer in his style class; developing the domestic and global quantitative fund management platforms – the second largest product in SGAM Japan; and setting up the alternative investment and structured products platform.
    • 2007 to 2009, was Director of Research at Asia’s largest hedge fund which managed over USD3 billion at its peak. Key achievements include institutionalizing risk and compliance management approaches, installing a formal investment process, and improving overall performance of analysts and short positions.
    • 2009 to end 2012, was Senior Director at Thomson Reuters, in charge of creating investment management content. Key achievements included launching 2 products: Investment Views – for investment banking and fund management clients, and Trading Japan – a platform for traders.
    • In 2013, founded TJT Advisory, a boutique M&A and business development advisory firm targeting Japanese small to mid-cap firms. Successfully gathered clients from niche and leading industries, and developed market entry, product placement and investment strategies. Helped a mid-cap Osaka firm gain close to 30% market share and attain market leader position in Philippines. Also provided consultancy services to foreign firms to enter into the Japanese market.
    • CFA certified since 1997, Financial Risk Manager certified since 2001.
    • Masters (M.Sc.) in Mathematical Finance from University of Oxford, New College.
    • Masters (M.A.) in International Relations from International University of Japan.
    • Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey.
    • Has published several articles and served twice as a guest researcher at a public think-tank writing policy white papers and doing research on Japan’s pension policy
    CEO of Pure Salmon Poland
    Eran Huppert
    • 15 years management experience, 5 of which as CEO of Pure Salmon Poland.
    • Prior to Pure Salmon Poland, was involved in management consultancy of small privately held companies in the retail sector.
    • Advised on operational and managerial performance improvement.
    • Prior to that founded and headed partnership stores division in Empik Ltd., a leading retail chain in Poland.
    • Previously worked as regional manager for Empik Ltd.
    • 5 years’ experience as a lawyer working in Israel.
    • LLB (law) University of London.
    • BA International relations Kent State University, USA
    Meet the team
    Head of Production
    David Cahill
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    Global Head of RAS Management
    Allan Haavapuu
    View profile
    Head of Smolt Production
    Jimmy Alonso Carrillo
    View profile
    Head of Sales & Marketing. CEO of Pure Salmon Middle East.
    Rod Maxfield
    View profile
    CFO
    Steve Wang
    View profile
    Head of Strategy
    Léa Renard
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    CEO of Pure Salmon Japan
    Erol Emed
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    CEO of Pure Salmon Poland
    Eran Huppert
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