SSPO strengthens lobbying team with two new appointments
A SEASONED Scottish political journalist is to be the new voice of the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO).
Hamish Macdonell will lead public affairs and communications at the organisation in the newly created role of director of strategic engagement.The SSPO represents most of Scotland’s salmon farmers.
And Anne Anderson of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has been appointed director of sustainability, the second new position to be announced at the salmon body last month.
Macdonell has covered the Scottish parliament since its inception for various titles, most recently for The Times, and has also worked as a political journalist at Westminster.
He brings a wealth of engagement experience that will be crucial as the industry continues to build its global reputation for excellence, said the SSPO.
Macdonell said:‘I am thrilled to be joining the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation at such an exciting time for the sector.
‘Scottish salmon is already one of the country’s most well-known and valuable exports and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping the industry cement its already excellent reputation for sustainability and high quality produce.’
Julie Hesketh-Laird, SSPO chief executive, welcomed the appointment: ‘I am delighted to bring Hamish on board to bolster the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation’s strategic engagement.
‘He will strengthen the SSPO’s expertise at a busy time as we continue to grow the reputation of Scottish salmon and shine a light on industry good practices and achievements.’
Anderson, meanwhile, will ‘develop and coordinate an industry strategy for sustainable business to support responsible growth’, the SSPO said.
She has worked at Sepa, the organisation that issues fish farm licences, since 1996, latterly as chief of compliance and before that as head of regulation.
She said:‘I am delighted to join the SSPO and have a leading role in helping this exciting and important Scottish industry develop sustainably.
‘The sector holds a strategic position in Scotland’s and the UK’s food and export economies and I am looking forward to helping it demonstrate its significant production achievements and innovations.’
Anderson will join the SSPO later in the year, and Macdonell will start at the beginning of November.