General Oceans Appointed New Leadership for Subsidiaries
The company named new executive vice presidents for Nortek, RS Aqua Ltd, and Reach Robotics.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
General Oceans finalized a leadership shift on September 1, 2026, by appointing new executive vice presidents for three of its primary subsidiaries. This move completes a series of management transitions across the firm's marine technology portfolio.
Why it matters
These appointments integrate seasoned leadership into key operational roles following recent executive departures. The changes aim to stabilize management oversight and support the firm's ongoing commercial growth strategy.
The leadership changes follow the acquisition of RS Aqua in November 2024 and internal turnover throughout 2026. The new team members bring substantial industry experience, including one executive with 30 years of tenure.
The players
Jannicke Koch-Hagen
She serves as the Executive Vice President of Nortek and brings three decades of industry experience to the role.
Louis Burnard
He is the Executive Vice President of RS Aqua Ltd and previously led a commercial transformation at Fugro.
Nathan King
He serves as the Executive Vice President of Reach Robotics and oversaw business operations for the company for several months prior to his appointment.
General Oceans
This organization operates as a parent company in the marine technology sector and acquired RS Aqua in 2024.
Martin Stemp
He is a former executive who departed RS Aqua following a tenure of 14 years.
The details
Jannicke Koch-Hagen moved into the permanent executive vice president role at Nortek after serving as acting EVP since August 2026. She joins Louis Burnard at RS Aqua Ltd and Nathan King at Reach Robotics, the latter of whom managed his unit for months prior to the formal appointment.
Timeline
November 2024: General Oceans acquired RS Aqua.
Summer 2026: Bjorn Ladegard departed from Nortek.
August 2026: Jannicke Koch-Hagen began serving as acting EVP of Nortek.
September 1, 2026: Jannicke Koch-Hagen assumed her duties permanently.
Market Landscape
These appointments follow the 2024 General Oceans acquisition of RS Aqua and reflect an ongoing integration of talent across the marine technology sector. The firm is positioning these leaders to navigate a competitive environment where specialized technical expertise is required.
For clients and partners, these management changes signal potential shifts in operational oversight and business communication channels. Customers should expect continuity in service while the new leadership teams implement their strategic objectives.
The takeaway
Effective corporate transitions often rely on promoting internal experts to maintain institutional continuity during periods of growth. Organizations that successfully align leadership tenure with long-term strategic goals can better mitigate the risks associated with executive turnover.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, explore the latest updates in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Marine Technology Reporter Magazine.
