After the acquisition of Grieg Seafood's Scottish operations last December, Scottish Sea Farms opens a new chapter in Shetland with the appointments of Richard Darbyshire, who will become Shetland Regional Manager, and Grant Cumming supporting him in the role of Operations Manager. These are the first names of a list that, for sure, will grow shortly. The company has announced that amongst the duo's first priorities will be shaping a new, blended organizational structure bringing together the best of both company cultures.
Darbyshire, formerly Scottish Sea Farms Orkney Regional Manager then most recently Northern Isles Regional Manager with responsibility for both Shetland and Orkney, will focus exclusively on the newly expanded farming estate now. Cumming, previously Managing Director of Grieg Seafood's Scottish operations, will support him from his new position.
Commenting on the appointments, Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher stated: "Over his 21-year career with the company, Richard has gone from strength to strength, proving time and again his talent for bringing out the best in his teams. During his last 18 months as Northern Isles Regional Manager, he has also amassed an extensive working knowledge of our Shetland activities, quickly gaining the respect of our local farmers. Add to this Grant's in-depth experience of the former Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK team, farms and facilities, and I firmly believe we have the best team at the helm to take our combined estate onto even bigger and better things".
Beyond being and functioning as one cohesive organization, the new blended team has some imperative tasks ahead as finalizing and implementing one cohesive farming strategy across the estate, and setting clear and measurable targets per farm.
Speaking about the work ahead, Darbyshire said: "Across the region we have a great marine team who care deeply about doing the right thing by their fish and the environment and are keen to develop and improve further. That's a great starting point for any Regional Manager and I'm looking forward to playing my part in helping the team deliver". Cumming, for his part, added: "Richard and myself go back many years and are aligned in our belief in the fuller potential of Shetland. I'm thrilled to be a part of the next chapter and I'm excited to see what more we can achieve as one team".
Scottish Sea Farms grows premium quality salmon along Scotland's west coast, the Orkney Islands, and Shetland Island for supply to major retailers, exclusive restaurateurs and kitchen tables. Their more than 500 employees are divided between its 2 freshwater hatcheries, 42 marine farms, 1 freshwater loch, and 2 processing facilities.