SOF CONSEIL joins Norwegian DNV group

French company SOF CONSEIL joins the Norwegian DNV group (Det Norske Veritas). SOF CONSEIL is a leading professional provider of safety and environmental risk management services. “This will be an important base for growing the French and North African energy market”, says DNV COO Remi Eriksen.

Remi Eriksen, COO DNV Energy

France, and in particular Paris, has a strong energy sector with major industry players. “The French energy cluster is becoming increasingly important in several of DNV’s targeted markets and with this strategic move, DNV is positioning itself close to the headquarters of leading energy companies,” says Remi Eriksen.

With its headquarters in Paris and a satellite office in Lyon, SOF CONSEIL has a valuable customer base throughout France, served by 27 highly competent employees.

DNV supports a number of customers with presence in over 100 countries. This global network provides great advantages to act local and think global – with sharing of knowledge and people across borders.

“Now our ambition is to grow strongly in Paris. With SOF CONSEIL on board DNV will strengthen its capacity both in France and to cover projects in French-speaking countries like Algeria,” says Remi Eriksen.

Luiz Fernando Oliveira, head of DNV Energy France

SOF CONSEIL’s majority shareholders, Director Francois Peyrint and Technical Director Philippe Lambrecht, expresses: “Together we will be able to provide broader services to our clients in France. Also, being a member of the global DNV organisation opens up opportunities for our colleagues to grow and develop. It is a good match.”

Luiz Fernando Oliveira will head DNV Energy France and manage the integration process. From 1st April 2010 he will also take on the role as Regional Manager for West Mediterranean and North Africa – a region with big opportunities for the competencies and services provided by SOF CONSEIL and DNV. He is relocating from Brazil where, as Manager of DNV Energy Solutions South America in Rio, he oversaw a very significant and successful growth period. “I look forward to a step change in our capability to serve the players in the French energy sector”, says Luiz Fernando Oliveira.