Norwegian Seafood Council appoints new UK director

Victoria Braathen has been appointed the Norwegian Seafood Council's (NSC) new envoy to the United Kingdom.

Braathen replaces Hans Frode Kielland Asmyhr, who headed up the NSC’s U.K. marketing activities since September 2017.

Braathen has worked with the NSC for six years through various international posts, including director of the NSC in China until July 2021. That post followed her appointment as NSC’s head of market access and manager for its operations in Norway.

“I’m delighted to join the team in the U.K.," Braathen said. "Working with the seafood industry is a huge privilege and I very much look forward to getting to know the market and stakeholders more closely."

Originally from Tromsø, Norway, Braathen holds a law degree from the University of Bergen with a specialization in commercial law and international law of the sea. She has previous experience as a political adviser to Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and the mayor of Tromsø Municipality.

“Over the years, the NSC has collaborated with several key industry stakeholders in the U.K. I’m excited to build on these great foundations and work together with importers, distributors, retail, and foodservice alike to further strengthen the seafood partnership between Norway and the U.K.,” she said. “The U.K. is among Norway’s closest allies and one of Norway’s major trading partners. Our relationship is one we value, and I hope to build on the outstanding work already undertaken in this market, and further develop our position in an exciting and important territory for whitefish.”

NSC will be sponsoring the United Kingdom’s upcoming National Young Chef of the Year Awards and National Fish and Chip Awards.

The council, which is a public company owned by Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, maintains local representatives in 12 of Norway's most-important international markets.

Photo courtesy of the Norwegian Seafood Council