July 14/Food Weekly News -- Long time Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (ONC) president and CEO, Robert Orr, will make way for a new CEO to lead the company's next growth phase, with particular focus on international expansion efforts and the food sector.

Martin Jamieson, a 30-year international food industry veteran, has been appointed as the new president and CEO at ONC. He will oversee day-to-day operations at the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based Omega-3 dietary supplement and food ingredient, researcher and manufacturer.

Orr, company co-founder with John Risley, becomes chairman, who will work with Jamieson and the board of directors in charting the firm's strategic direction and will focus on Omega-3 category growth activities.

Martin Jamieson has an impressive background growing firms with familiar household names. Most recently, Jamieson was executive vice president of Loblaw Brands at Loblaw Companies, responsible for the management and marketing of their $7 billion private label business. Prior to that, he was president of Robin Hood Multifoods and, before that, president of Pillsbury Canada Ltd.

Jamieson came to Canada with Pillsbury, after successfully running the firm's U.K./Ireland business. Additionally, he led pan-European marketing and strategic planning for Haagen-Dazs and spearheaded the brand's introduction and growth across 14 countries.

In addition to his brand marketing skills, international food industry experience and strong leadership track record, Jamieson also brings a strong technical knowledge to his new position. Jamieson studied food technology at Cheshire College of Agriculture in the U.K. and began his career as a food processor and food technologist, in the dairy industry. He also holds a BSc (hons) in Food Marketing Management from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom.

"Talent, particularly leadership talent, is the key to sustaining growth and profitability in our industry. Building an internationally competitive company with sustainable differentiation requires a particular skill set. Martin has that talent and skill set. We are very fortunate to have him joining ONC and accepting the challenge of taking the company to the next level" said Orr.

"I am delighted to be joining Ocean Nutrition Canada as president and CEO of this remarkable company. The company is a leader in its field, is growing rapidly internationally and employs some of the most passionate and talented people that I have met in over 30 years in the international food industry. I look forward to leading the company through the next phase of rapid growth and development" Jamieson said.

From the July 19, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition