Damen Shipyards Group, a globally operating company with 35 owned shipyards and numerous partner yard, has appointed Monica Svenner as the new managing director for its shiprepair unit, Damen Shiprepair Götaverken.

Svenner is the first woman to take an MD post within the ship repair industry and as a Gothenburger she has a burning ambition for her new company, said a statement from the Sweden-based company. She comes in the place of Jos Goris.

She has vast industrial experience as managing director working for several international companies such as Stena Recycling and Atlas Copco.

Svenner grew up in Sao Paulo (Brazil) where her family moved in 1956 when her father was offered the job of starting up a factory. She moved back to Sweden at the age of 18 to study chemical engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg.

When in Gothenburg, she met her husband and the town has remained her home base while working in all parts of the world.

On the choice of his successor, Goris said,:“Svenner has extensive experience in leadership and business development within a variety of organizations and industries, particularly within heavy industry.'

'This means that she can bring new approaches and innovation, which is extremely positive for Damen Shiprepair Götaverken.It is also particularly good having an MD from Gothenburg who is internationally respected for her experience, the perfect mix,” he added.

In addition to chemical engineering, Svenner has teaching degrees in mathematics, chemistry and physics. She has worked at companies such as Volvo Cars, Wicanders and Mölnlycke Health Care and within areas such as research & development, organization and business development.

She also has been a quality manager, factory manager and, for 10 years, a managing director in companies with huge turnovers.

On her new role, Svenner said, “Profitability is A to Z, but developing a company also requires modern leadership, development of the employee’s competence and an efficient organization to provide all the services that the market requires. This will give increased efficiency and, in the long term, a stronger trademark.”-TradeArabia News Service