A graduate in marine engineering from NTNU in Trondheim and with an MBA from INSEAD in France, Per started his career in Trondheim where he worked as a researcher for three years. It was here that he first got introduced to fishfarming. After a few years in Trondheim, Per became a shipbroker in London. Later, he started Norwegian Energy, working with sales to the shipping industry. This was his first venture project, with many more to follow.
An era is over, but Per is as committed today as he was 33 years ago.
When it comes to the future of the industry, Per believes it is important to protect the value creation along the coast and understand how to take care of it.
– The Norwegian coast has a unique value and it is important that the competitiveness is looked after also in the future.
Sustainability is another important issue for the industry going forward. It is about balancing the environment, society and the economy. As a company, together with being part of an industry, you must have framework and conditions that make it possible to operate in a sustainable way. This means having both the prerequisites and predictability to be able to plan long-term and run a company that is sustainable and healthy.
– It is also a recognition that as an industry we are not completely in tune with the times. We need to improve and develop ourselves so that all of this becomes possible.
With an eye for business opportunities
– I like to build. I think I have a commercial flair, I see connections, I see opportunities.
After his stay in London, Per was given responsibility for Ship and Insurance brokerage within the Grieg Group. From his father, Per received both trust and freedom. With freedom comes responsibility and there have been both ups and downs for the company.
In 1992, the opportunity to enter Norwegian salmon farming came about and Per was heavily involved from the start. This industry was new to him and he needed to gather both knowledge and experience to build the company, which was then called Grieg Norwegian Salmon.
Per has been actively involved in all major developments that the company has been through over the years.
– I am very curious, especially about things that I don't know much about. I am curious about people's work, and perhaps because I am genuinely interested, I have gained a lot of trust from people. This has helped me in developing the company.
Per traveled along the coast of Norway as the leader of the company, meeting families and fish farmers who had built their own businesses through fishing and aquaculture.
– This world was new to a boy from the city. The power within the people that met me along the coast, a combination of drive, muscle power and brain power, I think it´s completely unique for Norway. The value creation that occurs along the entire coast is phenomenal.
With his commercial flair, Per began building the company. He saw opportunities from Rogaland in the south to Finnmark in the north. He built up Erfjord broodstock and bought licenses in Rogaland. Much of Grieg Seafood's development has been possible through building trust and partnerships with local communities and family businesses.
In the early 2000s, Grieg Seafood invested in British Columbia in Canada. Today, the company operates farms on both the West and East coasts of Canada.
The passion for coastal culture has never faded and Per still has contact with people who joined the farming adventure in the early 90s. Several family members from the family businesses that were acquired by Grieg Seafood still work in the company.
Stock market listing
– In Finnmark I met the Volden family, they have had a significant impact on the history of Grieg Seafood in the north. A family with strong visions and drive.
There would not have been an industry without these family businesses and people with drive and strong belief in what they are doing.
Volden Group and Grieg Seafood merged in 2006 and in 2007 the company went public. Around this time, Per Grieg Jr. became Chairman of the Board.
An enthusiastic leader
– It has been a privilege to head up Grieg Seafood for 33 years. Fantastic to contribute to building Norway's most important future-oriented industry.
Being allowed to see the most amazing places and meet all these great people who have their own unique power, has been a true pleasure. We have unique resources along the coast and in the future it will be important to take care of these.
One thing is certain, Grieg Seafood would not be what it is today without Per. The company is valued 8 billion on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Per Grieg Jr. has four children and eight grandchildren and will soon turn 68, but he has no plans to enjoy retirement just yet.
The next generation is already well established in the company.
Today, Nina Willumsen Grieg, daughter of Per, is the (interim) CEO of Grieg Seafood, she came from the position as Regional Director in Rogaland.
Per is optimistic about the future. The team leading Grieg Seafood into its next chapter is solid and experienced.
– They know what it takes to bring the company further with all that it will require. They are already well underway and I will be cheering them on, all the way.
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Main picture: Per Grieg Jr. in his office in Bergen. Photo: Veronika Stuksrud