Seafood Sector Welcomes Launch of New Processing and Trading Organisation - UK Seafood Federation Limited
January 20, 2025
The UK’s seafood processing and trading industry has a new unified voice to promote its
sector with the launch of the UK Seafood Federation (UKSF). UKSF is an amalgamation of
the Provision of Trade Federation’s, Seafood Industry Alliance (SIA), and Seafood Grimsby &
Humber Alliance Limited (SGHA).
The membership organisation will be chaired by Simon Smith, vice-chair of Sofina Foods
(Europe) and formerly the SGHA chairperson. The management team led by Simon Dwyer,
CEO, 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 members of the European Fish Processors Association, AIPCE.
UKSF brings together the UK Seafood Processing and Trading businesses, large and small, in
a pre-competitive collaboration with it’s 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’. UKSF
strategy will focus on common industry challenges, skills, ethics and sustainability, industry
integrity and reputation, smooth and efficient trade flows and communication and
engagement.
Simon Smith commented “This is a milestone for the seafood processing and trading
businesses across the UK. Sales in the UK to retail and food service are in excess of £8bn 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.”
Mike Sheldon, Chairperson of Seafish Industry Authority said “Seafish Executive team and
colleagues, look forward to working with UKSF and being an associate member of their
board. Clearly, UKSF priorities shadow our Corporate Plan in many ways, which is pleasing.”
Jimmy Buchan, CEO of Scottish Seafood Association commented “Our organisation has been
involved in the consultative process of creating UKSF. Simon Dwyer and Andrew Wallace,
Fishmongers’ Company, have visited us in Peterhead twice 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 North
East of Scotland. We look forward to having an active involvement in UKSF organisation and
supporting them in their priorities.”
Andrew Wallace, Fish and Fisheries Director, Fishmongers’ Company remarked
“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”
This landmark initiative aims to strengthen the representation of one of the country’s most
dynamic and diverse sectors, bringing together businesses and stakeholders to address
shared challenges and opportunities.
The UK Seafood Federation 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 recognized. From small-scale processors to major trading
enterprises, the federation represents the full spectrum of the seafood supply chain,
including companies committed to sustainability, innovation, and quality.
The UK Seafood Federation invites seafood processors, traders, and industry stakeholders to
join this groundbreaking initiative. Together, members will shape the future of the industry,
advocate for fair policies, celebrate the rich diversity of UK seafood and deliver the Mission
for seafood being a bigger part of the British diet for a healthier nation and planet.
Ends----
For more information about the UK Seafood Federation, please contact Simon Dwyer.
+44 7866 508194
Photo image from left to right: Simon Smith (UKSF Chair),Ambassador Sturla Sigurjonsson of Iceland, Deputy Ambassador Oyvind Hernes of Norway, Kate Sanderson, Head of Representation of the Faroe Islands, Simon Dwyer (UKSF Director).