Seafish Appoints Interim Chief Executive

Mr Williams joined Seafish in 2004 as Research Director, and this promotion is the result of a selection process which began in December 2009, but which stalled when Seafish lost the legal challenge to levy on imports in the Court of Appeal earlier this year.

Leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was granted in July. Current CEO John Rutherford will retire at the end of September. However, he will continue to assist Seafish in supporting the Government’s challenge to the Court of Appeal’s judgment. Despite this judgment, Seafish has continued to provide the seafood industry with a variety of valuable services.

Seafish will continue with this work and is also intending to put further resources into industry support and project work. At the same time, the Board is initiating a structural review with all staff, looking for efficiency and cost savings as it begins this programme. John’s retirement is agreed as the first stage of this efficiency review and the senior executive team now will reduce from four to three.

John Whitehead, Interim Chair of Seafish, said: “John Rutherford has made a huge contribution to Seafish in the almost nine years he has headed the organisation. Paul’s appointment is a compliment to the calibre of the team he has built. Paul is ideally suited for this role and his appointment will be applauded by staff and industry alike. Whilst John will be handing over the reins to Paul during the next few weeks, I am delighted that he has agreed to help us achieve a successful outcome in the Supreme Court next year.”