deputy coo — deputy coo — Columbia Group has appointed Ulla Eithz Nielsen as deputy Chief Operating Officer (COO), marking a significant step in the group’s strategy to enhance its global maritime services platform.
- On a personal note, Eithz Nielsen shared that her move to Cyprus has been smooth, with the “sunshine certainly being a welcome bonus.”
Based in Cyprus, Columbia Group continues to focus on integrating and expanding its leadership at the group level. Ulla Eithz Nielsen joins Columbia after over six years in senior leadership positions at V.Group, where she excelled in various operational and executive roles, including managing director positions.
Her extensive experience encompasses navigating complex operational structures, which aligns well with Columbia’s current phase of development. Beginning her career at sea, Eithz Nielsen is a qualified master mariner, later transitioning to shore-based roles with A.P. Moller – Maersk.
Her decade at NORDEN involved responsibilities in process excellence, business applications, and business intelligence. These roles laid a solid foundation for her work at V.Group, where she was instrumental in developing and implementing group-wide operating models.
In her new position at Columbia, Eithz Nielsen will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team, focusing on operational alignment and the long-term growth of the group’s ship management and related maritime services.
Columbia’s chief operating officer, Leonid Zalenski, praised Eithz Nielsen’s expertise, stating she brings “structure and scale” to her new role. He highlighted her “strong operational mindset and a deep understanding of how maritime organisations need to be structured to perform consistently at scale.” This experience is expected to bolster the group’s commitment to clarity, accountability, and effective delivery.
Eithz Nielsen expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I am looking forward to working closely with the Columbia team as the group continues to invest in its operational platform and digital capabilities.” She noted the warm welcome she received and her enjoyment in collaborating with Zalenski and the broader leadership team.
Digitalisation emerged as a key focus for Eithz Nielsen, who remarked that when properly implemented, it can simplify workflows, enhance decision-making, and enable teams to concentrate on what truly matters. She acknowledged Columbia’s strong foundation in this area and sees significant potential for growth as the business evolves.
Columbia Group’s chief executive, Mark O’Neil, highlighted that Eithz Nielsen’s appointment aligns with the company’s vision to reinforce its leadership for the future. As the maritime industry faces increasing operational complexities and regulatory challenges, he emphasised the importance of resilient leadership. O’Neil believes Eithz Nielsen possesses “the judgement, experience, and organisational focus that will support both our clients and our people as the group continues to evolve.”
On a personal note, Eithz Nielsen shared that her move to Cyprus has been smooth, with the “sunshine certainly being a welcome bonus.”
