Grieg Star change CEO and Chair

(Posted on 27/06/19)

From 1 July, after over 20 years as CEO, Camilla Grieg will take the position as Chair of the Board of Grieg Star. At the same date, Matt Duke takes over as CEO.

Grieg Star is a ship owning and operating company within the open hatch and dry bulk segments. They are a part of the Grieg Group, with a history back to 1884. Together with Gearbulk the company owns the largest open hatch shipping company in the world, G2 Ocean.

“I have had this position for over 20 years. I notified the board some time ago that I wanted to focus more on long term overarching strategy, as well as give space for new people with new ideas and new competencies. I am looking forward to be able to do work together with the new CEO and a strong management,” Camilla Grieg says.

She will take over as Chair of the Board from Elisabeth Grieg. Elisabeth will stay on as member of the Grieg Star Board for now. She will remain Vice Chair of G2 Ocean and Chair of Grieg Green.

Camilla Grieg informed her management group of her change in role in April. Since then, the Board of Directors, aided by consultants, have been evaluating several candidates for the position as CEO.

In the end, it was obvious to us that we had a great internal candidate. There was no need to bring in someone from the outside. Matt Duke is a strong, emphatetic and visionary leader. He knows the industry, but has the ability to think outside the box. Matt has all the qualities we look for in a CEO for Grieg Star to succeed in the years to come

Matt Duke joined Grieg Star as Chief Business Process Officer in January 2018. He came from a role as VP Digital Platform Maritime at Kongsberg Digital. Prior to that he worked 14 years at Odfjell SE, lastly as Corporate Vice President IT.

“I am humbled, honoured and highly grateful to take the role as Group CEO for Grieg Star. It has never been a more exciting time or challenging period to lead in our industry. The combination of new technology and decarbonisation targets are converging to give way to a great number of new business model opportunities, same time we see that these changes can be disruptive for shipping companies unable to change,” says Matt Duke.

“My role as CEO of Grieg Star Group is to ensure that we continue to provide best in class ship management services, whilst we at the same time rig our sails for future opportunities and growth. It will be a demanding and exciting time, and I look forward to working with the management team, board, owners, internal and external partners, and all our colleagues in delivering on our strategy moving forwards,“ Duke concludes.