Key People
Ari Magnus Mathiesen
CEO Willing Hands AS (Norway)
Ari is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 companies. Of background he is educated in Business & Administration and holds a Master in Science. He has founded
and owned the Noroff Group, one of the largest private
school groups in Norway which incorporates High
Schools, Technical Colleges and a University College
in all the major cities of Norway. He is also the founder
and owner of Webstudent International AS, an Edutech
company leveraging capacity building in higher
education with clients in Norway, UK, Europe, US and
Africa. He has founded Key Ready Solutions AS that delivers
steel buildings, fully furnished and with equipment
for industry, education and hospitality. Finally he is cofounder
of Willing Hands AS a company focusing on developing complete value chains within Aquaculture.
He has acted as Marketing Manager, IT Consultant, Financial Manager, CEO and
Chairman for several companies for more than 25 years.
Ari heads up projects in Africa, Europe, Asia and America bringing along strong
international partner consortia and beneficial financing for projects and business opportunities.
Beate Simonstad Berg
Director
Beate has great experience as å senior consultant change management and efficiency projects. She has extensive experience within project management control and report system. She uses methods from lean management top down leadership.
Beate has been working as a project manager and coach since 2007 in both small and larger companies. Her main focus has been efficiency and improvement projects within a number of productions like food, oil/gas, boats, professional service, and different industrial products.
The projects have resulted in cost reductions, new «Best Practice processes. Focus on continues of improvement and å attitude change within the company.
Education:
Coach – NLP Master,
Interior designer IAL
Electrical engineer.
Hubert Mengi
Financial advisor
Over the past six years, I have been engaged by the
World Bank Tanzania Country Office as Financial
Management Consultant. These assignments involved
the initial assessments of the financial management
arrangement of the Government’s institutions that would
be used to implement World Bank funded projects. The
assignments also included the review of the financial
management arrangements during implementation
coupled with the reviews of the annual audited
financial statements and agreeing on actioning points.
These assignments have given me extensive exposure to
the public sector.
Prepared many business plans for clients that were
successfully used to raise finance from finance from
commercial banks or used to restructure existing credit
facilities. Clients include the Arusha based Sky Group of
Companies; Aishi Protea Hotel, Abla Hotel Apartments,
Abla Office Complex, Shilela Academy, WAPO
International Conference Center and Hotel; WAPO
Academy, Keko Pharmaceutical; Haven of Peace
Academy, Kamal Steel, Royal Plastics and three natural
gas distribution studies undertaken with Kimphil Konsult
Limited
• QUALIFICATION : Certified Public Accountant of
Kenya - CPA (K) Fellow- Certified Public Accountant
(Tanzania) – FCPA
• Member (Public Practice) of the National Board of
Accountants and Auditors, Tanzania-
• Diploma in Credit and Risk Management.
• Currently undertaking the Executive MBA program
with the Management College of South Africa
• (MANCOSA).
Paul Volrath
Operations manager
An experienced field based Project Manager able to work under demanding schedules, in remote locations. Has a reputation for delivering on time and within budget.
Motivated to achieve set objectives on time and to standard.
Ability to critically review and react to situations that arise in the field.
Long-term involvement in the fish processing and aquaculture environment within Uganda.
Knowledge of the Lake Albert and Nile river basins with practical time spent on location supervising local staff on construction projects.
Director, Aqua Harvest (U) Ltd. 8 years - Introduction of cage farming techniques of Oreochromis niloticus to Lake Victoria with an 18 month Pilot study using square 5 x 5 x 5 m cage.
Director, Work Boats (U) Ltd. - Introduction of Aluminium, HDPE and GRP boats to Uganda market.
Civils Manager, Norwell Engineering (Aberdeen) contracted to Africa Oil Kenya BV & Taipan Resources. Kenya.
In charge of drill pad & airstrip construction through all phases of planning, design through to execution for Sala-2, Bhogul-2 (design) & Badada drill pads. Oversight of sub-contractors roles in construction and compliance with the works schedule.
2013-2014 Projects Manager, Civicon Kenya Ltd. Turkana, Kenya.
Project Management of Ngamia-2, Agete-2 & Etom-E well site construction for Tullow Oil Kenya BV. Responsible for the entire Projects supply chain, personnel recruitment, and logistical support.
Asbjørn Drengstig
Director
Asbjørn have been working with aquaculture
development world-wide ranging from extensive
systems to highly advanced new technologies. Have vast
experience managing projects with emphasis on
sustainability and resource management, including
socio-economic studies.
His Specialties is within aquaculture, water management,
development of new aquaculture species and
technologies, and business development.
He is also the Managing Director and founder;
Norwegian Lobster Farm Ltd. The company established
the world’s first land-based lobster farm using
e-circulation of seawater.
Conducted R&D projects for 6 years including
*technology, software, feed, biology, market and consumer
behaviour, bio-security, health
management and water quality dynamics. Conducted
several private equity transmissions and mergers.