EQVA ASA appoints Tore Thorkildsen as interim CEO

The Board of Directors of EQVA has appointed Tore Thorkildsen as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EQVA ASA, effective as of 30 May 2025.Thorkildsen replaces Even Matre Ellingsen who will be leaving the group.

Tore Thorkildsen has worked with the company since 1987, most recently as Head of Sales and Calculation and Managing Director of BKS Industri AS, a subsidiary of EQVA. He holds 10.8 per cent of all outstanding shares in EQVA through his company Nintor AS.

“Tore Thorkildsen’s diverse background within EQVA and his extensive experience within sales and business development in the industrial services sector, makes him highly qualified to take on the role of Interim CEO,” said Ellen Hanetho, Chair of the Board of EQVA, on behalf of the Board.

“I am looking forward to continuing developing our group companies in my new role. EQVA has an impressive industrial track record, with our leaders and employees having demonstrated great talent in building strong and profitable businesses. With BKS performing very well, and with the integration of IMTAS and Austevoll Rørteknikk into the group, EQVA is better positioned than ever before to pursue new market opportunities and drive further growth,” commented Tore Thorkildsen.

Over the past few years with Even Matre Ellingsen as major shareholder,Chairman and most recently as CEO, EQVA has focused its strategy and transformed itself into a knowledge-based compounder company. It is an active owner of industrial service companies that deliver services and solutions to energy intensive industries, land-based industries, aquaculture, defence, maritime and offshore sectors.

“EQVA creates shareholder value by supporting and inspiring profitable growth in its portfolio companies and by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities and potential acquisition candidates. On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Ellingsen for his contributions to EQVA,” said Ellen Hanetho, Chair of the Board of EQVA.

“This is a logical time for me to step down as CEO. I have had the great pleasure of being involved in the reformation of what was once known as the Havyard Group, and the development and implementation of EQVA’s current strategy. I am grateful to the EQVA team and proud of the many important operational and strategic milestones we have achieved together. I look forward to following EQVA’s exciting growth journey going forward,” said Even Matre Ellingsen.

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