A new chair, deputy chair and five members have been appointed to the board of the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish).
Seafish is a non-departmental public body which carries out a wide range of activities to support a thriving seafood industry, working with the fishing industry and processors through to importers, retailers and food service providers.
Michael Sheldon, appointed as Seafish Chair, brings more than twenty years' experience of the agri-food industry. Formerly Deputy Chair of Seafish, he is also board member on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
The newly appointed Deputy Chair of Seafish is Jeff Halliwell. He brings his experience of customer engagement groups, consumer watchdog and an extensive knowledge of the food and drinks sector.
The further five appointments as board members include Graham Black, who brings significant experience of working within government, including in his former role of Director for Marine Scotland.
Formerly board member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), David Brooks has a firm understanding of the food and drink, healthcare, housing and technology sectors.
Heather Jones, who has thirty years' experience in marine, fisheries and aquaculture science. Founder of the UK's first industry-led aquaculture innovation body, Heather was formerly Deputy Director of Marine Scotland.
Nigel Edwards brings extensive experience of the seafood industry as a Director of Hilton Food Group plc who supply a wide range of proteins to partner retailers globally and is a member of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group for Defra's Seafood 2040 strategy.
Lastly, Harry Wick, who brings a wide knowledge of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland and a strong interest in the sustainability, safety and economic prospects of the UK catching sector.
These are ministerial appointments agreed by the four fisheries administrations, who jointly sponsor Seafish.
The recruitment was carried out in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Practice for Appointments to Public Bodies. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, there is a requirement for the political activities of appointees to be made public. None of the appointees have declared any significant activity.
Biographies:
Michael Sheldon is the current Deputy Chair of Seafish and a board member on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Chair of its Pork Sector panel. Michael brings more than twenty years' non-executive experience and chairmanship of public bodies and private companies, as well as significant experience of establishing long term strategies and delivery plans. Michael is being appointed to the board as the new Chair of Seafish.
Jeff Halliwell is currently the Chair of the Customer Engagement Group that independently scrutinises the consumer and stakeholder engagement of Electricity North West Ltd. Jeff is (until August 2021) Chair of Transport Focus, the statutory independent consumer watchdog for the transport sector, and a former board member of the Food Standards Agency. He has recently been appointed as Chair of the Coal Authority. Jeff has non-executive experience in the food sector, the NHS, Higher and Further Education and as a Charity Trustee, and has senior executive experience in the food, healthcare, technical and regulated markets. Jeff has been involved in significant corporate change programmes involving mergers, acquisition, divestment and refinancing. Jeff is being appointed to the board as the new Deputy Chair of Seafish.
Graham Black brings significant experience of working within government; as Director for Marine Scotland until last year, and previously as Head of large business at HMRC. Whilst in both roles Graham took both organisations through significant organisational change and reform programmes. Graham is being appointed to the Seafish board as an independent board member.
David Brooks has extensive non-executive experience across a wide range of sectors to include the food and drink, healthcare, housing and technology. David recently stepped down as a board member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). David has held a number of Chief Executive roles in a variety of companies and is an accountant by training. David is being appointed to the Seafish board as an independent board member.
Heather Jones has thirty years' experience working directly with governments, industry and research institutions in a scientific capacity. She was formerly the Head of International Division in the Scottish Government and a Deputy Director in Marine Scotland. She has experience as a CEO; operating strategically at board level for 14 years. Heather established the UK's first industry-led aquaculture innovation body, with 200 organisations in membership. Her range of recent advisory roles includes the UK Seafood Innovation Fund, the Aquaculture Research Collaboration Hub, Scotland's Aquaculture Leadership Group and she is founder of the Women in Scottish Aquaculture network. Heather is being appointed to the Seafish board as a member with a background in marine and fisheries science.
Nigel Edwards brings extensive experience of the seafood industry and is currently a CSR Director of Hilton Food Group who supply a wide range of proteins to partner retailers globally, including seafood for Tesco and Waitrose from their factories in Grimsby. Nigel currently sits on the oversight committee of the Responsible Fishing Vessel Scheme, is a member of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group for Defra's Seafood 2040 strategy for England and is Chair of the Seafood Industry Alliance. Nigel is being appointed to the Seafish board as representative of the processing sector.
Harry Wick is chief executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation which represents the interests of around 140 member vessels fishing for a wide variety of species in waters right across the UK. He also co-chairs the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation and is a member of the United Kingdom Association of Fish Producer Organisations. Harry works closely with a broad range of fishing interests to promote the sustainability, safety and economic prospects of the UK catching sector. Prior to this he was a Royal Naval officer during which time he served in the Fishery Protection Squadron as a Marine Enforcement Officer on behalf of the MMO. Harry is being appointed to the Seafish Board as a representative of the large catching sector.
