Announcing their appointment, President David Tandy said that this will bring the right focus to the management team. “Their appointment strengthens the three main pillars of the organisation: operations, sales and customer services. We now have a Central Management Team member in charge of each of these three focus areas.”
David Tandy pointed out that both appointees had long experience working in the organisation. “Both Siri and Thomas have spent most of their working lives in the company, and have a thorough understanding of the business from the grassroots upwards. I believe they will bring new energy and enthusiasm to the Central Management Team. I am especially pleased that we have been able to fill both these important positions with internal candidates.”
The new vice presidents will have two roles. Each will be responsible for their own fields of operations - International Customer Services and International Sales - but they will also have a critical role in the CMT.
Siri Jacobsen started her career in shipping with the company in 1995. Since that time she has been employed in a number of key positions within Sales and Marketing, before moving into International Sales in 2008.
Siri is looking forward to getting started. “I am very enthusiastic about this new position,” said Siri. “I am a positive and enthusiastic person and I believe in getting things done. I am looking forward to making Customer Services the core of our operations in every area where we operate. I expect to use all our communications channels and plenty of face-to-face contact in the network in order to get the message across in the coming months.”
Thomas Smordalen has a strong background in sales management. He started in 1993 as a sales trainee and rose to the position of Sales Director, Europe. “I am passionately committed to this business,” said Thomas. “I see fantastic prospects for the company ahead, and we need to further develop the competence of our organisation to meet the future needs. Wilhelmsen Ships Service has an excellent basis for facing the challenges of the next five years.
“Our sales force will have to become “business architects”, which will require them to adapt and develop their skills to meet the demands of the future,” continued Thomas. “We will work closely with Customer Services to provide all-embracing solutions for our customers.”
Thomas Smordalen will take on his new position on 1 January 2010. Siri Jacobsen’s appointment took effect on 1 December 2009. We wish them both every success in their new roles.
Further information from:
Solveig Saether, Market Communication Manager, Wilhelmsen Ships Service,
Telephone +47 67 58 45 78 (office), +47 90 63 49 77 (mobile) solveig.d.saether@wilhelmsen.com