Westcon Group Names New CEO

The board of directors in Westcon Group has appointed Arne Birkeland as the new Group CEO.

Arne Birkeland has held the position as deputy group CEO in Westcon Group since September 2012. He previously held executive positions in Aker Kværner and Wärtsilä. He immediately steps up as Group CEO in Westcon.

“Westcon has become a large company with several different business units. We have taken important and major strategic steps in several areas in recent years. This is a result of a collective effort by highly skilled and competent owners, managers and employees. Over the last year, I have been part of this journey, and I now look forward to it to continue”, Arne Birkeland says.

Birkeland will succeed Øystein Matre, who has led Westcon Group after the corporate structure was reorganized in 2011. Matre will continue as CEO of Westcon Yards – the group’s absolute largest business unit.

“I am confident that Arne Birkeland is the right man to continue the development of Westcon. He has had a long domestic and international career, he knows the industry well, and with his local background he knows very well what we come from”, Matre says, and adds that the board is united behind this assessment.

Matre believes that a leadership addition with external competence is important and healthy for a family-owned company as Westcon.

“The need to strengthen the position as group CEO has been part of a natural development as the totality of Westcon Group has increased. Additionally, a new leader will contribute with new perspectives”, Matre says.

[mappress]

Press Release, October 16, 2013