About

The recent past has seen personnel changes in the legal team of Norwegian global maritime industry group Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding, including the appointment of current chief legal officer Morten Aaserud. A relatively compact function consisting of five members of staff, the legal team at Wilh. Wilhelmsen work against the backdrop of a market in a state of upheaval. Dramatic changes in the maritime industry include shifts within the offshore aspect of the market, the introduction of the Personal Data Act, the digitalisation of the maritime industry and the emergence of the sharing economy, all of which provide challenges and opportunities for the team to prove their worth. Offering counsel to management and board with respect to the group’s various companies, there are many recent examples in which the team have contributed to Wilh. Wilhelmsen’s industry leading position. For instance, a huge facet of the team’s recent work is connected with an increased focus on compliance, which the team responded to by creating the innovative WW Group Business Standard Project, which updates and implements policies and routines and saw the recruitment of highly qualified compliance officer Morten Torkildsen. As well as developing these compliance business standards, the team has advised on a number of M&A transactions, a restructuring within the organisation and stock-listed a new entity in Treasure ASA, showing their versatility and strength. Working closely with the chief risk officer and the group management team on a daily basis, the team is not only lauded for the legal expertise of individual members but also the overall contribution to company finances too; producing such efficient work has seen a reduced need for external counsel and the costs associated with it.