Obituary
William Dowds
THE aquaculture industry, in Scotland and beyond, has paid tribute to William Dowds, Fish Farmer’s former commercial manager and a legendary figure throughout the industry for many years. William passed away on August 3, aged 52, after a long battle with cancer.
‘It is very sad indeed to lose a friend- and such a passionate advocate of our industry- long before his time,’ said Chris Hyde of Otaq.
Nick Joy said: ‘When I think of William the word ‘irrepressible’ comes to mind. He was endlessly enthusiastic about fish farming, new projects and innovation. While he was scathing of the industry’s critics, I cannot but think of him with a smile on his face, reminiscing or discussing the current situation.
‘He was inquisitive, challenging, perceptive and determined, all the attributes of a good journalist but, added to that, he was damn good company.’
Rob Fletcher, senior editor at the Fish Site and former editor of Fish Farmer, wrote: ‘William was a colourful character even by the standards of a sector well-known for mavericks and non-conformists, and it was a pleasure to have known him.’
And Julie Macdonald of W&J Knox recalled her many exchanges with William: ‘He was always forthright, highly engaging and had a huge interest in what was happening, both in the aquaculture industry and in the wider world.
‘More than anything, he was never boring, and I can honestly say that his calls never felt like sales calls, which was a sign of a true professional, and a lovely man.’
Originally from Northern Ireland, William worked for international brands such as Coca-Cola, Diageo and British Aerospace, emerging as a talented salesman.
But his route to this fairly conventional profession was, in typical William style, idiosyncratic. He spent his early adult life playing keyboards in a Belfast rock band, even though – by his own admission- he had never had a music lesson in his life.
The skills he picked up may not have appeared transferable to his future livelihood, but the touring routine obviously suited him.
He settled in Scotland and when he joined the world of aquaculture, he quickly made a name for himself, not only on his own patch, but around the world, on his extensive travels for Fish Farmer.
He had a particular affinity with Norwegians – an invaluable trait in the salmon farming sector – and had enviable access to the CEOs of many of the biggest companies, a testament to his easy Irish charm (and all those late nights in the bars of Trondheim).
William- latterly donning his beloved kilt- became a familiar sight at the aquaculture trade shows, even after poor health might have dictated a slower pace.
He bounced back from repeated bouts of cancer treatment in the last six years to re-connect with his old contacts and make new friends, and never gave up hope that he would make it to Aqua Nor again later this month.
In Scotland, as elsewhere, his industry colleagues were his friends and his job was also his favourite pastime.
He acquired a deep understanding of the salmon farming business and used his acumen to raise Fish Farmer’s profile in the growing industry.
He rarely missed an opportunity to turn a good story into an excellent advertising bonanza, but he was also unfailingly generous with his expertise, and was as often on the phone dishing out advice as he was closing a deal.
In the offices of Fish Farmer, William would walk around with a headset, usually out of earshot as he chatted – for hours sometimes – to his valued customers. It therefore remains a mystery to most of us how he worked his magic.
Outside, on the farms or in the exhibition halls, we could better witness him in action – but
“More than anything, he was boring” never
William never made work look like work and that was perhaps the secret of his success.
He retired from Fish Farmer last year on medical grounds but was immediately snapped up by another title in the industry, International Aquafeed.
He was proud of the magazines he represented, and he was especially thrilled by the recognition he received at the Aquaculture Awards in Edinburgh in May, where he was presented with a special lifetime achievement award.
The stoicism William brought to professional challenges was very much in evidence as he coped with one health setback after another.
He made light of his aliments, joking ‘I’ve put my foot in my mouth’ when he had to have his jaw rebuilt with a bone from his leg, and complaining that his surgeons had not made him look more like Tom Cruise.
In his final weeks, his wit never deserted him, even when a new tumour robbed him of the ability to speak clearly.
Finlay Oman of W&J Knox remembered him as ‘a real character, who never gave up and made the very best of what he had left’.
Scottish Sea Farms tweeted: ’His sparky personality and fierce belief in the sector will never be forgotten but it will be sorely missed.’
And Chris Haacke of Corbion spoke for many when he said William was a ‘much loved character and ever present wherever the aqua industry got together at the various conferences and trade shows. He will be very much missed.’
Aquaculture UK tweeted: ‘Thank you William for everything you brought to our industry. Rest in peace.’
And Gael Force said: ‘Farewell to a hugely popular figure within the industry. William will be missed by many.’
The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre,
“His fierce belief in the sector will never be forgotten but it will be sorely missed”
meanwhile, tweeted: ‘Many of us at SAIC have worked with William over the years, and have enjoyed his banter, knowledgeability and helpfulness.’
William’s colleague on Fish Farmer, Vince McDonagh, described William as ‘an excellent newspaperman with a sound grasp of the industry and a very shrewd eye’.
From Norway, Rolf Mork-Knudsen said ‘Aqua Nor will not be the same without meeting him there’.
And Gustav Erik Blaalid, the Norwegian journalist and publisher of Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian site, Kyst.no, who met William in the 90s, paid this tribute: ‘The good-humoured William was never afraid to talk to us, even though we were competitors. He didn’t look at it that way. In his eyes, we were colleagues, and that was more important.
‘Whether it was Aqua Nor in Trondheim, Aquaculture UK, Seafood Expo in Brussels or some aquaculture conference, the chances were great of meeting William.’
Blaalid said he had once offered William a job as sales manager at Fish Farming Expert, but he ‘politely declined…he was flattered by the offer, but out of loyalty to his Fish Farmer employer he wanted to stay’.
‘It was not only me, but many of us who worked in aquaculture media gladly shared some late hours (and half litres) with William. It was a pleasure.’
From the US, seafood entrepreneur Chris Edelman, writing on William’s Facebook page, summed up his courage: ‘It says everything and then some about your character and resolve- there you were, extended stay at Ninewells being rebuilt...making ME laugh on the other side of the computer.
‘You are a class act and a good man, William. You will be missed in this life, embraced in the next. You made people smile.’
William died peacefully at home in Glenrothes, with his wife Wendy by his side. His funeral was due to be held on August 16, at Kirkcaldy crematorium.
William Dowds, born November 26, 1966, died August 3, 2019.