Grieg Group Resources

Grieg Group Resources AS is a shared service center for the companies within the Grieg Group. They represent an important support function for the Grieg Group, delivering services such as ICT, HR and personnel, operations, procurement, insurance, finance, accounting legal and compliance.

WENCHE KJØLÅS CEO

Grieg Group Resources acts on behalf of the Group and helps with coordination and fulfillment of joint measures and specific projects.

At the beginning of 2021, we still had to live with uncertainties for the year ahead. The pandemic still challenged us, working remotely and not being able to see our colleagues for a long time. Luckily, society reopened gradually, together with our offices and social events. In Grieg Group Resources, being able to meet colleagues again and discuss issues and solutions, is a vital part of our day-to-day work. Other challenges are now facing us, as we see an increased frequency of cyber-attacks and a demand for an even more digitalised work environment.

I want to highlight two projects that have been critical for us in the past year. The first one is Grieg Digital, a financial reporting system for all Grieg Group companies, developed in 2021. The project is steadily led by our Finance Manager Christian Sandquist Smith and his team, and is now facing the end of development. The goal is to provide stakeholders and board members with a better foundation when making decisions.

Another vital project developed in Grieg Group Resources is the compliance project led by Cherin Myrdal Vervik, our lawyer. Facing strong regulations and the endless need to be in front, the Grieg Group has managed to secure up-to-date compliance regulations and policies that apply to all Grieg Group companies. One example is the upcoming Equality and Diversity Policy developed by Gry Larsen, Leader of Sustainability and Public Affairs.

We strive to ensure the best deliveries to our customers. With several new recruitments coming up, such as our new CISO – Chief Information Security Officer, and Administrative Coordinator, I believe we are well set for the days to come.

People at Grieg Jan Inge Krokeide

There are many people working behind the scenes to make the Grieg Group’s systems work as smoothly as possible. One of them is Jan Inge Krokeide (38): –Technology is at its best when no one notices it.

A KEYMAN IN AN “INVISIBLE” JOB – Our job is to make it easier for our colleagues to do their job, says Jan Inge Krokeide.

At the head office in Bergen, he plays a key role at the Grieg Group’s IT department. From here, servers and networks are operated, and support systems and equipment are updated.

BEYOND ROUTINE TASKS The days start with a brief, planning routine tasks together with the other IT colleagues in their corner on the sixth floor. But these plans are often replaced by the need to solve unforeseen problems. He thrives when the problem-solving leads to better everyday lives for the employees.

– It can be as simple as helping someone who has an impractical desk setup. By giving some tips or setting aside five minutes to help them optimize their desktop, I might save them hours of frustrations.

At the other end of the scale, it could mean going to work on a Saturday because a power outage has knocked out half of the infrastructure, and it needs to be sorted out before Monday morning.

Jan Inge loves these unforeseen days, but with the corona pandemic, everyday work changed overnight.

– It was hectic for the first two weeks, then everything started working out. People adapted quickly and our core systems did exactly as we hoped. Solved problems instead of causing them. In the last lockdown it almost got boring.

System updates and planned changes were put on hold to prevent us from ruining the flow of people in the home office.

– I really missed the buzz and the everyday challenges at the office.

INCREASED THREAT PICTURE During the corona pandemic, there were an ever-increasing number of cyber-attacks against the Grieg Group. Fishing for employees’ usernames and passwords, to get access to sensitive information, is still a big threat.

– This is an important area of focus for us, together with our partner Visolit. Our systems stop many attacks every day.

For the employees in the Grieg Group, this may mean extra authentication steps, but in Jan Inge’s experience, the colleagues have a great understanding of the importance of the security measures.

– No one wants to be the one who lets someone into the system - who sent money the wrong way or loses files, he says and continues:

– If we can make the everyday life of a colleague as painless as possible, while taking care of safety - then we have done our job. SMALL TALK IS KEY Jan Inge describes himself as a technologist - a fan of everything that runs on electricity. But that does not mean he sets technology over people.

– When everyone worked from home, the meetings became more efficient, and small talk came down to a bare minimum. But I feel it is an important part of work life. If you are going to have a good working relationship with your colleagues, you need to know a little bit about how they are doing and what they do outside of work.

He praises the good unity between the colleagues in Bergen.

– There was never any question of whether my colleagues in Grieg Group Resources wanted to work mostly from home or the office after the close-down. Everyone wanted to return to the office, and that says a lot.

THE ANNUAL 800 STEPS With a challenging job, it’s important to be in good physical shape. There are a lot of active people in the Grieg Group, and there’s a long tradition of corporate sports.

In Bergen, Jan Inge is a facilitator for Grieg Team, making physical activity a natural part of the work life. Grieg Team has strength training and circuit training with an instructor twice a week, and several regular activities during the year.

In addition, he is the facilitator for Grieg Team’s registration for the annual Stoltzekleiven Opp. The uphill race goes up to one of Bergen’s seven mountains, approximately 800 steps from the starting line.

– Everyone dreads Stoltzen. No one looks forward to it. You just look forward to finishing.

Nevertheless; a lot of people have stood on the starting line for the race from Grieg Team. – Many have a love / hate relationship with the race. We get something in common to train towards, to dread, and most importantly - to talk about in the hallways.

Highlights From 2021

JANUARY

The Brazilian soy suppliers to the salmon industry, CJ Selecta, Caramuru and Imcopa, will implement a 100 percent deforestation and conversion free soybean value chain with 2020 as their cut-off date. No soy grown on land deforested after this deadline will be traded. This bold and historic move sets a new benchmark for global sustainable supply chains. This includes all of Grieg Seafoods operations.

FEBRUAR

The pandemic still affects our businesses and our people. The Grieg Group Emergency Response Team organizes meetings and communications across the Grieg Group companies. Grieg Maritime Group signs declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change to support our seafarers facing the worldwide pandemic. Many countries deny seafarers entry or make it difficult for them to join or leave their vessel.

MARCH

We celebrated the International Womens Day! Chair of the Board, Elisabeth Grieg participated in a panel both at the BI Norwegian Business School, and at an event hosted by The Norwegian Conservative Party (Høyre).

APRIL

We revisited our Brand, and released a Brand Centre, along with updated brand guidelines in relation to the Grieg Group brand, which applies to all Grieg Group companies. In addition, we hosted our annual General Meeting, and released our Annual Report for 2020.

MAY

Grieg Edge joins offshore desalination startup Ocean Oasis as partner and investor. Norwegian startup Ocean Oasis targets carbon-free freshwater production using innovative offshore technology. This is a perfect fit for Grieg Edge’ investment strategy.

JUNE

For the first time, the Grieg Group marked its support to the international Pride-movement. Pride is an annual celebration, usually in June in the United States and sometimes at other times in other countries, of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) identity.

JULY

Morten Müller was appointed as the new Managing Director for Grieg Shipbrokers, after serving as interim CEO since the fall of 2020.

AUGUST

Grieg Connect, our leading technology solutions supplier joins the ‘Norwegian Digital Port Infrastructure’ project whose chief aim is to enhance the efficiency and environmental footprint of ports throughout the country.

SEPTEMBER

Grieg Seafood joins forces with 17 leading industry and research institutions in the push to develop low-emission offshore aquaculture.

OCTOBER

VP Shared Services at Grieg Star, Eli Vassenden, spoke on behalf of Grieg Group during an IEAE round-table conference – as one a very few representatives from the private sector.

NOVEMBER

Grieg Investor was named this year’s Nordic Investment Consultancy, for the fourth consecutive year.

DECEMBER

A part of the Grieg Group employees Christmas gift was donated to The Church City Mission in Bergen.