Alex Obach, innovation director at Skretting, has been appointed president of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP)
EATiP is an international non-profit association dedicated to developing, supporting, and promoting aquaculture, with more than 60 members from research institutions, universities, aquaculture networks, commercial companies, observers, and NGOs.
Originally from Barcelona, Obach is a veterinarian with a master’s degree in aquaculture from the University of Girona in Spain and a PhD in fish pathology and immunology from the University of West Brittany in France.
He started working at the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) in 1993 as a researcher, initially within fish health, and then as a nutritionist. From May 2007 to July 2021, he was MD of Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC), the global R&D unit of Skretting. He was also a lecturer at the University of Barcelona (1995-1997), and worked as technical director in Marine Harvest (2004-2007).
Innovation and technological development will be instrumental to secure the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry in Europe, according to Obach.
The UK's Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has appointed Vicky Robinson as its head of sustainability to lead and develop its work in this area for the UK's agri-supply industry.
Robinson will lead the trade association's sustainability policy work as it scales up its influence in this critical area.
She joined AIC in late June.
A 2019 Nuffield scholar, Robinson was previously technical director at Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), which followed 22 years working for Natural England and its predecessors on agri-environment delivery, policy development and implementation.
"I'm pleased to be joining AIC in the new role of head of sustainability at such an exciting and dynamic time for the agri-supply industry. With the increasing emphasis on sustainability within our food system, the pivotal role that the agricultural supply chain provides in balancing the provision of nutritious food integrated with the needs of the environment, economic and social systems is key.
“Working across all of the sectors that AIC represents, my role will balance the needs of our members in delivering AIC's mission - working in support of modern sustainable commercial agriculture in the UK and supporting collaboration throughout the food chain."
Net zero transition
AIC CEO, Robert Sheasby, said Robinson’s wealth of knowledge and experience in this area is of real value to the agri-supply industry.
"AIC developed its first Agri-Supply Roadmap for a Sustainable Food Chain in 2020 in response to these challenges so that members can build a more resilient future. Her work will include updating our roadmap, as well as supporting the recently launched sustainability self-assessment framework, and helping member businesses with the net zero transition.
"The sustainability brief has seen considerable member and stakeholder interest, as well as national and international policy development in recent years."
Scottish biotech company, MiAlgae, a producer of omega-3 rich ingredients from algae, has announced new additions to its growing team.
In a bid to support skills development and training opportunities, the company said it recently welcomed two Foundation Apprentices on board, in addition to three PhD students who are currently completing placements.
The two apprentices joined MiAlgae at the beginning of September to gain practical work experience in the company’s research lab and to learn more about Scotland’s thriving biotechnology sector. Jason Talac and James Blakely, who both attend Musselburgh Grammar, are embarking on an eight-month placement within MiAlgae’s R&D team.
Three PhD students also joined the MiAlgae team in July 2023. The startup said they have already contributed significantly to the company’s innovative R&D program, which covers process optimisation, technology transfer and future applications of MiAlgae’s proprietary platform.
Researcher PhD student, Charlotte Lee, joined the company as a research intern from the University of Stirling, where she is a tutor for biological and environmental sciences. Ben Baker and Iseabail Farquhar also joined the firm as research interns from the University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences, with MiAlgae sponsoring Iseabail’s industry-led PhD.
Jo Partridge, operations director at MiAlgae, said: “Scotland is bursting with young talent and at MiAlgae, we recognise the importance of enabling our next generation of biotechnology leaders to gain the real-life experience needed to thrive in their careers. There are many routes into biotech and we’re championing apprenticeships alongside more traditional academic routes.
“Biotechnology will solve many of the challenges we face today, and so it’s been encouraging to see the high volume of enthusiastic applicants we have had for our placements – from students across Scotland and much further afield. MiAlgae’s sustainable approach supports a more circular economy, and we hope to reinforce our message with talented people who will continue to drive this change for years to come.”
Pictured: PhDs Iseabail Farquhar and Charlotte Lee at MiAlgae’s production site at Balfron.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has named Jessica Morse as its new director of meetings and events and Emily Alvarez as its fall communications intern.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica back to the AFIA after a five-year hiatus,” said Sarah Novak, AFIA’s chief operating officer. “She has a wealth of knowledge about the industry and the AFIA membership and is extremely hard-working, detailed and genuinely enjoys serving our members and working as part of the AFIA team.”
Previously, Morse owned and operated Lucy Berry Bakeshop and served as an event manager for the Distilled Spirits Council and the Society of Wine Educators. During her time at the AFIA, she was a meetings and event manager. Morse holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of St Thomas and a master’s degree in English literature from Georgetown University.
Emily Alvarez, a senior at the University of Florida, will support the communications team this fall with drafting and editing content for distribution to members and other target audiences via the AFIA’s and Institute for Feed Education and Research’s multimedia communications channels. Alvarez, originally from Tampa, Florida, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education and communications with a minor in innovation.
The Scotland-based Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has announced the forthcoming departure of director of innovation and engagement, Sarah Riddle, and the arrival of sector stalwart Ed Ley-Wilson, as the innovation centre begins a new phase of its development.
After more than three years at SAIC, Riddle has decided to focus more on her family business, Northern Light Consulting. She continued as a director in the consultancy alongside her part-time role at SAIC after joining the innovation centre in May 2020.
The SAIC said that during her time with the organization, it has seen its membership consortium exceed 340 organisations, and it reached the milestone of 100 funded R&D projects.
Ley-Wilson will now take up the newly created role of director of innovation and business development, as SAIC looks to its third phase.
Most recently head of aquaculture at Aquascot, a supplier of Scottish salmon products, he has 16 years’ experience in salmon farming, food processing, and retailer engagement. He has worked with universities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the aquaculture supply chain, regulators, and industry leadership groups and has expertise in innovation around fish welfare and feed alternatives, as well as sustainability and community impact.
Novus International reports that Dr Uwe Ranft is to retire from his role as managing director of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and global strategic accounts.
Dr Volker Seidl will succeed him, bringing 20 years of extensive experience to the role.
“Novus has been fortunate to have Uwe with us for the past 20 years, with 14 of those at the helm of the commercial business in EMEA,” said senior VP and chief commercial officer, Ed Galo. “Under his leadership, Novus has strengthened its relationships with key accounts and grown its position as a leader in intelligent nutrition solutions throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We can’t thank him enough for his years of service and dedication to his customers and colleagues.”
Dr Seidl joined Novus as the director of global strategic accounts in 2021. At the time, his extensive experience in the chemical and animal nutrition industries included head of sales excellence and head of global key account management at BASF Animal Nutrition.
In his new role, Dr Seidl will help guide the companys' commercial strategy within EMEA. In addition to his accountability for the global strategic accounts business, he’ll manage the EMEA sales and technical teams, leverage resources, and align corporate functions to support business growth and deliver value to customers.
During his tenure with Nobus, Dr Seidl has proven himself ready for this new professional opportunity, Galo said.
“Volker has successfully led efforts to strengthen partnerships and grow business with global strategic accounts,” he says. “He’s added value to the customer by developing and executing a unified framework to identify and manage strategic accounts at all levels of our organization. He is the ideal leader to continue this transformative work as the head of the commercial business in EMEA and with our global strategic accounts.”
The transition period will begin immediately and continue through January 1, 2024, when Dr Seidl’s appointment takes effect. On January 1, Dr Ranft will switch to a senior advisory role and continue to support the transition and the business up until his retirement date, March 31, 2024.
Pictured: Dr Ranft on the left and Dr Seidl on the right.
