Our team

From marine engineering and farm operations to technology and offshore installation, our people bring practical experience to the decisions that shape a project.

Leadership

Regional development and international aquaculture leadership, brought together through H2O.

Founder · CEO, H2O

Mahmoud Tahoun

Marine engineering & regional aquaculture development

Mahmoud brings 20 years of marine and aquaculture experience, combining engineering knowledge with the development and management of regional businesses. His career includes Chief Marine Engineer with Reederei Nord, General Manager of Samkna in Qatar, and Founder and CEO of United Aquaculture in Oman.

He also founded OQP and Seafoodia. As CEO of H2O, his focus connects project establishment, marine operations and commercial development, drawing on experience in business start-ups and performance improvement.

20 years in marine & aquaculture

Marine engineering
Business establishment
Operational performance

Specialists & advisors

Specialist insight into the technical, commercial and practical demands of offshore aquaculture.

Projects Development

Knut Engene

Strategy, delivery & complex industrial projects

Knut is a senior executive with extensive experience in offshore aquaculture and complex industrial projects. His work spans the full development process, from business planning and design through contracting, construction, commissioning and operations.

He has held leadership roles with SalMar / Norway Royal Salmon and Kvaerner, and contributed to pioneering offshore farming developments. His career includes international projects valued at up to US$1.3 billion, bringing a strategic, technical and commercial perspective to H2O’s project work.

International project leadership

Offshore development
Major project delivery
Technical & commercial strategy

Offshore Specialist

Xavi Delgado

Sea cages, mooring systems & offshore installation

Xavi leads H2O’s cage installation work, bringing more than 35 years of experience in offshore fish farms. His expertise covers cage design and specification, component assembly, mooring systems and installation, alongside improving existing farms through suitable equipment selection and practical site work.

His experience includes work with Hvalpsund and Mørenot, and farm installations across the GCC, Japan, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. Regional references include Omega, United Aquaculture, Blue Waters and Samkna.

More than 35 years building fish farms

Cage specification & assembly
Mooring installation
Farm upgrades

Advisor

Per Andreas Hjetland

Aquaculture technology & business development

Per brings 27 years of aquaculture experience to H2O, with a career spanning commercial leadership, operations and business development. At AKVA group, his senior roles included Chief Operating Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Development.

His experience covers aquaculture supply chains, new farming sites, project delivery, production training and studies. As an advisor, he brings that understanding of the wider industry to the development of H2O and its projects.

27 years in aquaculture

Commercial & operational leadership
Aquaculture supply chains
Project delivery

The experience described here includes roles and projects undertaken by these individuals before and alongside their work with H2O Aquaculture.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Regional understanding

Decisions informed by GCC operating conditions and the practical requirements of developing aquaculture in the region.

Delivery experience

A view across planning, equipment, installation and operations, with attention to how each decision affects the next.

International connections

Access to specialist knowledge and technology, connected to the needs of your site and operating team.

Explore our capabilities

Discuss your aquaculture project

Contact H2O