SSPO seeks new team with political skills

THE Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation is strengthening its team with up to three new appointments, all based in Edinburgh.

Although the SSPO is currently headquartered in Perth, it said it is actively searching for premises in the capital for its future HQ.

The organisation, which represents six out of Scotland’s seven salmon farming companies, advertised recently for a director of Strategic Engagement to ‘develop and grow relationships’ with the government.

Answering to CEO Julie Hesketh-Laird, who took up her post in March, the new director will ‘lead an industry engagement strategy to advance the industry’s interests and profile’.

The SSPO said it was looking for someone with experience in communications who will be ‘credible and comfortable’ talk- Julie Hesketh-Laird, CEO of the SSPO ing to ministers in Holyrood and Westminster.

The director of Strategic Engagement, who will be able to recruit an engagement manager as part of their staff, will be an effective spokesperson in support of the CEO.

The SSPO was also seeking to appoint a sustainability director as part of its senior leadership team. The new role involves developing and coordinating an industry sustainability strategy that aims ‘to ensure an operating environment which is conducive to industry growth and resilience’, according to the job advertisement.

The role also requires someone with excellent communications skills who is comfortable presenting to a range of audiences, and communicating and influencing senior stakeholders up to government ministerial level in Westminster and Holyrood.

Hesketh-Laird said: ‘The organisation is bolstering its capacity and capability to support a growing Scottish salmon farming sector. I am delighted that our members have confidence in a strong future for the sector and its producer organisation. The new roles will be based in Edinburgh close to some of our most important stakeholders.’