Grimsby FMA outlines bold new strategy
A NEW look Grimsby Fish Merchants Association has emerged as Seafox Management Consultants and the board recently outlined its strategy for the future.
In one of its first moves it has brought in an environmental health expert to help members’ training and legislation in this area.
Chris Melville, who has more than 30 years’ experience working in the seafood sector, has recently joined the new team.
Simon Dwyer, founder and managing director of Seafox, said: ‘Chris will bring a lot of valuable expertise to FMA members on environmental legislation, documentation, training and import and export routines.’
Seafox took over management of the FMA and the weekly fish scheme last month following the retirement of FMA chief executive Steve Norton.
It has also assigned two people, Leanda Ashley and Bridget Benton, to handle the scheme involving transactions worth more than £50 million a year. It is also administering the Grimsby Fishing Vessel Owners Association.
The firm has been involved with the FMA since 2014 when it undertook a major review of its operations.
One of its key members of staff is Liz Baghurst who has secured European and UK grant funding worth £80 million during her career, including £10 million for the seafood sector.
Dwyer said that despite Brexit the European Fisheries Fund will still be available to the industry for some time to come.
‘We are working with major seafood processors through to the mobile van fishmongers, as well as businesses nationally and internationally, and we have written funding applications and business plans for FMA members.’
A former head of Samskip, the Icelandic shipping and logistics company, he founded Seafox six years ago.
An environmental health expert will help training” members’