Arnt-Ivar Kverndal

Partner

Phone: +47 977 76 485
Email: arnt-ivar.kverndal@inaq.no
LinkedIn

Arnt-Ivar has extensive experience in leadership, regional development, and complex industrial projects. His background includes roles as Chief Municipal Executive, Regional Director, and Senior Advisor at SINTEF. He combines technological insight with a strong ability to foster collaboration between industry, the public sector, and R&D environments. For the past 25 years, he has been closely involved in the seafood industry in various capacities. At INAQ, he supports clients in development processes that drive growth in the seafood and aquaculture sectors, with a particular focus in recent years on slaughtering and processing within the aquaculture value chain.

Expertise
  • Strategic processes and project management
  • Relationship-based leadership and network building
  • Board work and management
  • R&D collaboration in aquaculture and fisheries
  • Harvesting and value-added processing (VAP)
Experience
  • Partner – INAQ AS (2013–present). Project management and strategy development in complex development projects. Management for hire, board work, and leadership.
  • Senior Advisor – SINTEF Technology and Society (2007–2013). Work within technology management, technology transfer, and regional development (Gode Sirklar).
  • Regional Director – Sør-Trøndelag County Authority (2002–2007). Member of top management with responsibility for strategic development programmes (including County Plan, Marine Strategy Plan, Marine Forum, etc.) and transport planning (National Transport Plan, County Road Plan, ferry and boat connections).
  • Chief Municipal Executive – Frosta Municipality (1997–2002). Overall responsibility for the municipality’s operations and development.
  • Previous roles (1992–1997). Project Manager at the County Governor of Finnmark, Department Head in Porsanger Municipality, and research work at Tromsø Museum and the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Education
  • Cand. Scient. in Physical Geography, University of Oslo (1990)
  • Engineer in Marine Technology and Naval Architecture, Oslo Technical Maritime School (1984)
  • Further education and courses in organisation and leadership
Selected Contributions
  • Regional development: Led and followed up strategic processes in Sør-Trøndelag County Authority, including National Transport Plan work and public transport projects. Developed strategic business plans for regions such as Fosen, Øygarden, Steinkjer, Flatanger, and Bø Municipality.
  • R&D collaboration: Helped build networks between municipalities, industry, and research institutions within aquaculture and fisheries. Served as General Manager of regional development companies such as Gode Sammen AS, Kopparn Utvikling AS, and Torra AS, as well as Project Manager for KiIN (Knowledge & Innovation in Inner Namdal) and regional effects of Steinkjer as a Smart Grid region.
  • Board positions: Chair of the Board at companies such as Kråkøy Slakteri AS and Blått Kompetansesenter (including Næringshagen for Hitra and Frøya), and board roles in several companies within construction, real estate, and sales/service.
Personal Approach

Arnt-Ivar is a relationship builder who combines an analytical approach with a strong ability to foster collaboration. He is engaged, proactive, and result-oriented, with a strong drive for implementation. His strength lies in leading processes that require trust, cooperation, and clear direction.

Arnt-Ivar Kverndal