Svitzer elects new Australia managing director

Svitzer has promoted chief commercial officer Videlina Georgieva to managing director for Australia, substituting Nicolaj Noes, who is passing on Svitzer to pursue new opportunities. 

Before this role, she drove strategy and business development functions inside Svitzer. 

Georgieva has been Svitzer’s worldwide chief commercial officer for the past three years. 

In a statement, Svitzer said active managing director Nicolaj Noes is leaving Svitzer “to take on a new opportunity”. Noes have driven Svitzer Australia for the past five years and have worked inside the more extensive Maersk Group for 30 years. 

The company said Georgieva brings a profound understanding of its business and operations, including inside Australia, where she has been part of conveying commercial results all through her 13 years with Svitzer. 

Svitzer Chief Kasper Friis Nilaus praised Georgieva on her appointment and said it was fantastic to have the option to internally for the role, mirroring areas of strong leadership within Svitzer. 

“Based in Sydney and with her long tenure and strong track record, Videlina is excellently placed to continue driving Svitzer’s strategic focus in Australia and Papua New Guinea,” said Nilaus. 

She has proactively started an arranged handover process with Nicolaj Noes and will initiate her new role effective early September. 

“This includes continuing to unlock value for our customers, for instance through partnering with them on their decarbonisation agendas. We are also bringing innovative new assets and towage infrastructure such as our revolutionary new TRAnsverse tug to the region, which will help drive the future of towage in Australia,” said Nilaus. 

Nilaus likewise expressed his gratitude to Noes for his administration of Svitzer Australia. 

“Nicolaj has led Svitzer through significant change during his tenure and is held in high regard by colleagues, customers and stakeholders alike for his leadership,” said Nilaus. 

Svitzer Australia’s new managing director, Georgieva said, “I am delighted to be back with the team at Svitzer Australia and to be taking on this role in such an important market for our business. There is a clear opportunity to create further value with and for our customers and communities in Australia and Papua New Guinea.”