Women in Scottish Aquaculture appoints three new co-chairs

Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) has announced a change in leadership following the departure of long-standing chair Dr Teresa Garzon.

Now, three new co-chairs will jointly step into the leadership role, with fish veterinarian Matilda Lomas, seaweed industry expert Rhianna Rees, and aquaculture trade specialist Dr Ingrid Kelling taking over the helm.

According to WiSA, the introduction of a co-chairing model reflects the advisory group’s collaborative working approach and is seen as a natural progression for the organisation. The group has stated that this leadership model will support its goal of continuing to deliver a “positive impact” for the aquaculture sector.

WiSA has highlighted the varied backgrounds of the new co-chairs as a strength. Lomas works in salmon farming as a veterinary practice and cleaner fish manager at Bakkafrost Scotland, while Rees is business development manager and a representative of the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, and Kelling is Director of the Fair Food Hub reserach centre and Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, specialising in sustainable economic policy.

In a press release announcing the leadership changes, the three new co-Chairs welcomed their new roles.

Rees said WiSA "is all about making aquaculture a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive", while Kelling said she is "passionate about driving equity and inclusion in the sector", adding she is "excited to collaborate with industry leaders, researchers and policy makers to create a more diverse, innovative and resilient Scottish aquaculture sector."

Lomas added she was excited to "build on the important work WiSA has already done", and noted she is "looking forward to raising the profile of WiSA as a safe, empowering space for women to succeed in".

Garzon, who has chaired the network for over four years, recently took on a new role as Chief Sustainability Officer at SeaQure Farming Group. She is also the co-founder of aquaculture start-up TinyFish. Although stepping down as chair, she will remain part of WiSA’s advisory group.

Garzon described her four years as WiSA chair as "a time of growth, figuring things out as we went, and most importantly, building a strong and supportive community for women in Scottish aquaculture". She added that this was made possible "thanks to a dedicated group within WiSA and the great backing of the industry".

"I hope WiSA contnues to grow as a welcoming and supportive space and keeps adapting to the needs of the community, and I'll do my part to help make that happen now as part of the advisory group," Garzon said.

WiSA was established in 2019 to support women working in aquaculture in Scotland and aims to increase visibility, access to opportunities, and diversity in the sector.

The network was originally hosted by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) in Stirling. In September last year, UK environmental training body Lantra Scotland confirmed it was taking over management of WiSA. The group continues to work in partnership with industry, academia, and other stakeholders, and its activities include a successful annual mentoring scheme.