Schofield has 20 years’ management experience from maritime industries. He has held leadership roles at maritime suppliers Kongsberg Evotec and Vard Electro, at aquaculture industry supplier Optimar, and at ship designer Ulstein Design & Solutions. Schofield started his career at defense industry supplier BAE Systems.

Schofield is a British national who has lived in the maritime-focused Sunnmøre region of Norway for the past 15 years. He joins HAV Design from a role as head of industrial competitiveness at cross-industrial cluster organization NCE iKuben. He holds an engineering degree in product development and manufacturing from Loughborough University, UK.

“Richard brings extensive experience from the maritime industry, from ship design, engineering, project management, operations and technology development. He has supported customers on projects in multiple vessel segments where HAV Design has a strong market position. We look forward to welcoming him to the company,” said Gunnar Larsen, chairman of HAV Design.

HAV Design develops vessels that ensure sustainability, flexibility, and profitability from a lifecycle perspective. This is achieved through deep insight into the needs of shipowners and customers, close collaboration with stakeholders in the value chain, and a leading ability to predict operational performance.

HAV Design is a subsidiary of HAV Group ASA, listed on Euronext Growth Oslo, and headquartered in Fosnavåg, Norway.

Schofield will join HAV Design January 1, 2026. He succeeds Stig Magne Espeseth, who has moved into a role as SVP Design at the company.