From left to right: Simon Smith (UKSF Chair), Ambassador Sturla Sigurjonsson of Iceland, Deputy Ambassador Oyvind Hernes of Norway, Kate Sanderson, Head of Representation of the Faroe Islands, Simon Dwyer (UKSF CEO).
Photo: UK Seafood Federation (UKSF)
A new organisation, the UK Seafood Federation (UKSF), has been launched this week to represent the interests of the UK’s seafood processing and trading sectors. The federation brings together existing trade organizations, the Seafood Industry Alliance (SIA) and Seafood Grimsby & Humber Alliance Limited (SGHA), into a unified body.
The new organisation will be chaired by Simon Smith, vice-chair of Sofina Foods (Europe) and former SGHA chairperson, with the management team to include Simon Dwyer as CEO, joined by Andrew Kuyk and Mike Short from SIA and Professor Val Braybrooks, Julie Waites, and Joanne Woodhouse from SGHA.
The new federation will also join the European Fish Processors Association (AIPCE) as a member, Smith confirmed.
“This is a milestone for the seafood processing and trading businesses across the UK," said Smith, in a press release announcing the launch.
With its stated mission is "to be the voice of the UK industry in
making seafood a bigger part of the British diet for a healthier nation and planet", the UKSF aims to address common industry challenges, including "skills, ethics and sustainability, industry integrity and reputation, smooth and efficient trade flows and communication and engagement."
According to Smith, sales of seafood to retail and food service in the UK exceed £8 billion annually, with UK businesses playing a central role in the supply chain. UKSF will provide representation and advocacy for businesses of all sizes within the industry, he said.
"The UKSF will have a fully committed board representative of UK businesses and a delivery team with a strong track-record with SIA and SGHA. I look forward to working with the board and the team to deliver our priorities," Smith added.
The new federation has received support from other seafood industry organizations, including Seafish, the Scottish Seafood Association and the Fishmongers' Company.
“Seafish Executive team and colleagues, look forward to working with UKSF and being an associate member of their board. Clearly, UKSF priorities shadow our Corporate Plan in many ways, which is pleasing," said Mike Sheldon, Chair of Seafish.
Jimmy Buchan, CEO of the Scottish Seafood Association, added: “Our organisation has been involved in the consultative process of creating UKSF. Simon Dwyer and Andrew Wallace, Fishmongers’ Company, have visited us in Peterhead twice in recent months. We already have positive working relationship with SGHA over the years and we’ve worked with their
partner, University of Lincoln, in delivering Future Seafood Leaders programme in the North East of Scotland. We look forward to having an active involvement in UKSF organisation and supporting them in their priorities.”
“Fishmongers’ Company have been involved with SGHA for several years and it’s been remarkable how they have engaged regionally with all types of skills, industry research and innovation, developing career opportunities with the unemployed and interacting with schools," said Andrew Wallace, Fish and Fisheries Director, Fishmongers’ Company.
"The stakeholder network SGHA has devolved in the UK and abroad is a testament to their board’s pre-competitive collaboration. It’s really beneficial for Fishmongers’ Company to be associated with UKSF in terms of our Fish & Fisheries strategy," Wallace added.
