UK seafood processors and traders have a new unified voice to promote the sector following the launch of the UK Seafood Federation (UKSF). The new membership organisation is an amalgamation of the Provision of Trade Federation’s Seafood Industry Alliance (SIA), and Seafood Grimsby & Humber Alliance Limited (SGHA).
UKSF is chaired by Simon Smith, vice-chair of Sofina Foods (Europe) and former SGHA chair. The management team led by CEO Simon Dwyer, will be joined by Andrew Kuyk and Mike Short formerly of the SIA and the former SGHA team of Professor Val Braybrooks, Julie Waites and Joanne Woodhouse. UKSF will also become a member of the European Fish Processors Association, AIPCE.
Bringing together large and small UK seafood processing and trading businesses, UKSF is a pre-competitive collaboration with the mission “to be the voice of the UK industry in making seafood a bigger part of the British diet for a healthier nation and planet”. It will focus on common industry challenges, skills, ethics and sustainability, industry integrity and reputation, smooth and efficient trade flows and communication and engagement.
Smith said: “This is a milestone for the seafood processing and trading businesses across the UK. Sales in the UK to retail and foodservice are in excess of GBP 8 billion, of which the vast majority is handled in some format by UK businesses. 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.”
Seafish Chair Mike Sheldon said the non-departmental public body’s executive team and colleagues look forward to working with UKSF and being an associate member of its board, adding that UKSF’s priorities shadow Seafish’s Corporate Plan in many ways.
Scottish Seafood Association (SSA) CEO Jimmy Buchan said SSA had been involved in the consultative process of creating UKSF, while Simon Dwyer and Andrew Wallace, Fish and Fisheries Director of the Fishmongers’ Company, had twice visited the organisation in Peterhead 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 East of Scotland. We look forward to having an active involvement in UKSF organisation and supporting them in their priorities,”
Wallace Commented: “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. 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.”
Moving forward, UKSF will serve as a central hub for seafood processors and traders, advocating for the industry’s interests and ensuring its critical contribution to the UK economy and food supply is recognised. Together, its members will look to shape the future of the industry, advocate for fair policies, celebrate the diversity of UK seafood and deliver the mission for seafood being a bigger part of the British diet for a healthier nation and planet.
