Foto: Thomas Morel / Benchmark Genetics
Biomega Group Appoints Dr. Geir Olav Melingen as Managing Director
Bergen, Norway – May 30, 2025 – Biomega Group, a leading sustainable biorefining company and trusted ingredients partner for the health and nutrition industry, today announced that Dr. Geir Olav Melingen will join the company as Managing Director. Dr. Melingen is expected to assume the role in September/October 2025.
“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Melingen to lead the next growth phase of Biomega Group,” said Sten Estrup, Chairman of Biomega Group. “His extensive international experience and proven track record of business transformation make him the ideal fit to Biomega. Dr. Melingen’s deep knowledge of the aquaculture industry, his commercial acumen and people-centric leadership philosophy align perfectly with Biomega’s values and vision. We are confident that under his guidance, Biomega will continue to strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable ingredients.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Geir Olav Melingen said, “I am honored to join Biomega, a company at the forefront of sustainable biotechnology. There is tremendous potential at Biomega, and what excites me about leading this company is the opportunity to drive its next phase of growth while continuing to innovate premium, sustainable products for our customers and partners. I look forward to working with Biomega’s talented team to build on the strong foundation and take the company to new heights.”
Dr. Geir Olav Melingen brings more than 20 years of management experience to Biomega. He holds a doctoral degree (Dr. Scient) in fish health and has built a diverse career across the aquaculture and biotech sectors. Most recently, Dr. Melingen served as the CEO and Head of Salmon, Health & Genetics at Benchmark Genetics, where he oversaw global salmon breeding and health operations across Norway, Iceland, and Chile, as well as leading a major turnaround of the company’s aquaculture health business, transforming it from a loss-making unit into a profitable division. Prior to that, he was Commercial Director for Benchmark’s salmon division, managing sales to more than 30 countries.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Melingen was the Chief Executive Officer of Bergen Aquarium in Norway (2015–2019), where he revitalized the organization by reversing a five-year decline in visitor numbers and returning it to financial profitability. He also served as CEO of Fishguard AS (2013–2015), focusing on business growth and integrating multiple company acquisitions into a single corporate culture. In addition, he held senior roles at MSD Animal Health from 2011 to 2013 – including National Sales Director and Global Key Account Manager for aquaculture – where he managed nationwide sales campaigns and international client relationships. This breadth of experience has given Dr. Melingen a wide international perspective and a deep understanding of cultural and organizational differences, as well as a reputation for fostering positive, high-performance workplace cultures.
Biomega’s strategic appointment of Dr. Melingen aims to leverage his commercial R&D experience to drive the company’s expansion in the global ingredients market. His expertise is expected to accelerate R&D investments and facilitate the launch of a commercial pipeline of new products. Under his leadership, Biomega will continue to pursue strategic expansion and operational excellence, develop premium high-value products, and strengthen its sustainability initiatives in line with the company’s circular economy ethos. Biomega’s advanced biorefining technology – which converts salmon and other animal by-products into high-quality proteins, oils and peptides – combined with its commitment to reducing waste, provides a strong platform for Dr. Melingen’s vision of sustainable growth and innovation in nutrition.