As of 1st August, Per Holm Nørgaard will be the head of the Port of Hirtshals, coming from a 22-year career at Blue Water Shipping in a number of management positions, most recently as Director PMO since 2018.
In addition to his management experience, Per Holm Nørgaard brings to the new role extensive knowledge and competencies within strategy and implementation, process optimisation and organisational development.
‘We have been through a very exciting and educational process, and we are proud that such a competent profile has chosen to dedicate himself to the future development of the Port of Hirtshals. We are confident that Per Holm Nørgaard is the right person to lead the upcoming upgrade of the port, and we look forward to welcoming him,’ said Anker Laden-Andersen, chairman of the board at the Port of Hirtshals.
In May, the Port of Hirtshals announced its plans to upgrade the port to a version 2.0. Together with a major physical port expansion and facility improvement, the development plans include the ambition to become the greenest traffic port in Europe in terms of cargo, transport and logistics solutions, as well as the production of green fuels.
‘The Port of Hirtshals stands on the threshold of an exciting future that I look forward to being a part of. From my previous jobs, I have gained a lot of experience in translating strategies into action, and if we stand together as a team, I am sure that we will reach our common goals. Together, we must keep on creating the best possible conditions for our owners, customers, users and the local area,’ Per Holm Nørgaard said.
He began his career as an air freight forwarder, before studying for a Pre MBA and subsequently an Executive MBA in Strategic Thinking, both from the Business Institute in Aalborg. In addition to his time at Blue Water Shipping, Per Holm Nørgaard has also been self-employed and had a background in Danish Defence. The many experiences, he has gained along the way, have given Per Holm Nørgaard a clear guideline on what good leadership is.
‘Over the years, I have become very conscious of the fact that results cannot be created by one man alone – but rather by a unified team. At the same time, I have learned the importance of thorough preparation. If you are thoroughly prepared, it is much easier to execute, and you can better handle unpredictability,’ he said.