Royal Greenland has named Jan H. Lynge-Pedersen to replace Nils Duus Kinnerup as chief financial officer of the Nuuk, Greenland-headquartered seafood company.

Royal Greenland announced less than two weeks ago that Kinnerrup was retiring after 17 years with the company, as reported by Undercurrent News. The company, which is wholly owned by the Greenland government, said the change was in tandem with its effort to consolidate more of its leadership team in Greenland, which was not "compatible" with Denmark-based Kinnerrup's personal circumstances.  

Kinnerrup was expected to continue to work with Royal Greenland in an advisory capacity and help to ensure a smooth transition. Lynge-Pedersen is to assume his new role in March 2025, according to a statement. 

Lynge-Pedersen, who has served recently as CFO of KNI, a trading conglomerate also fully owned by Greenland, comes with a "strong combination of strategic insight and extensive experience from both the public and private sectors," the company said. He also has served as permanent secretary in the Greenlandic Ministry of Finance.

Lynge-Pedersen is familiar with Royal Greenland's strategic goals and the owner's vision, having served for the past six years as vice chairperson of the company's board of directors, the statement noted. This makes him the ideal candidate for the role, said Royal Greenland chairperson Maliina Abelsen.

Credit: Royal Greenland

"Throughout his career, Jan has built strong expertise in finance and strategic leadership. At the same time, he brings a deep understanding of the Greenlandic community, the fisheries sector, and what it truly means to be part of Royal Greenland," Abelsen said.

Lynge-Pedersen said in the statement that he has always been "passionate about fisheries" and noted that Royal Greenland, like KNI, "plays a significant role in our society."

Lynge-Pederseon also served as an official in the Directorate of Fisheries under Greenland's Home Rule, where he participated in international fisheries negotiations, including a work placement in Brussels preparing for a new framework agreement between Greenland and the EU, according to the statement.