A new chair, deputy chair and five members have been appointed to the board of the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish).

Seafish is a non-departmental public body which carries out a wide range of activities to support a thriving seafood industry, working with the fishing industry and processors through to importers, retailers and food service providers.

Michael Sheldon, appointed as Seafish Chair, brings more than twenty years’ experience of the agri-food industry. Formerly Deputy Chair of Seafish, he is also board member on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The newly appointed Deputy Chair of Seafish is Jeff Halliwell. He brings his experience of customer engagement groups, consumer watchdog and an extensive knowledge of the food and drinks sector.

The further five appointments as board members include Graham Black, who brings significant experience of working within government, including in his former role of Director for Marine Scotland.

Formerly board member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), David Brooks has a firm understanding of the food and drink, healthcare, housing and technology sectors.

Heather Jones, who has thirty years’ experience in marine, fisheries and aquaculture science. Founder of the UK’s first industry-led aquaculture innovation body, Heather was formerly Deputy Director of Marine Scotland.

Nigel Edwards brings extensive experience of the seafood industry as a Director of Hilton Food Group plc who supply a wide range of proteins to partner retailers globally and is a member of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group for Defra’s Seafood 2040 strategy.

Lastly, Harry Wick, who brings a wide knowledge of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland and a strong interest in the sustainability, safety and economic prospects of the UK catching sector.

These are ministerial appointments agreed by the four fisheries administrations, who jointly sponsor Seafish.

The recruitment was carried out in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Practice for Appointments to Public Bodies. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, there is a requirement for the political activities of appointees to be made public. None of the appointees have declared any significant activity.

Biographies:

Michael Sheldon is the current Deputy Chair of Seafish and a board member on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Chair of its Pork Sector panel. Michael brings more than twenty years’ non-executive experience and chairmanship of public bodies and private companies, as well as significant experience of establishing long term strategies and delivery plans. Michael is being appointed to the board as the new Chair of Seafish.

Jeff Halliwell is currently the Chair of the Customer Engagement Group that independently scrutinises the consumer and stakeholder engagement of Electricity North West Ltd. Jeff is (until August 2021) Chair of Transport Focus, the statutory independent consumer watchdog for the transport sector, and a former board member of the Food Standards Agency. He has recently been appointed as Chair of the Coal Authority. Jeff has non-executive experience in the food sector, the NHS, Higher and Further Education and as a Charity Trustee, and has senior executive experience in the food, healthcare, technical and regulated markets. Jeff has been involved in significant corporate change programmes involving mergers, acquisition, divestment and refinancing. Jeff is being appointed to the board as the new Deputy Chair of Seafish.

Graham Black brings significant experience of working within government; as Director for Marine Scotland until last year, and previously as Head of large business at HMRC. Whilst in both roles Graham took both organisations through significant organisational change and reform programmes. Graham is being appointed to the Seafish board as an independent board member.

David Brooks has extensive non-executive experience across a wide range of sectors to include the food and drink, healthcare, housing and technology. David recently stepped down as a board member of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). David has held a number of Chief Executive roles in a variety of companies and is an accountant by training. David is being appointed to the Seafish board as an independent board member.

Heather Jones has thirty years’ experience working directly with governments, industry and research institutions in a scientific capacity. She was formerly the Head of International Division in the Scottish Government and a Deputy Director in Marine Scotland. She has experience as a CEO; operating strategically at board level for 14 years. Heather established the UK’s first industry-led aquaculture innovation body, with 200 organisations in membership. Her range of recent advisory roles includes the UK Seafood Innovation Fund, the Aquaculture Research Collaboration Hub, Scotland’s Aquaculture Leadership Group and she is founder of the Women in Scottish Aquaculture network. Heather is being appointed to the Seafish board as a member with a background in marine and fisheries science.

Nigel Edwards brings extensive experience of the seafood industry and is currently a CSR Director of Hilton Food Group who supply a wide range of proteins to partner retailers globally, including seafood for Tesco and Waitrose from their factories in Grimsby. Nigel currently sits on the oversight committee of the Responsible Fishing Vessel Scheme, is a member of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group for Defra’s Seafood 2040 strategy for England and is Chair of the Seafood Industry Alliance. Nigel is being appointed to the Seafish board as representative of the processing sector.

Harry Wick is chief executive of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation which represents the interests of around 140 member vessels fishing for a wide variety of species in waters right across the UK. He also co-chairs the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation and is a member of the United Kingdom Association of Fish Producer Organisations. Harry works closely with a broad range of fishing interests to promote the sustainability, safety and economic prospects of the UK catching sector. Prior to this he was a Royal Naval officer during which time he served in the Fishery Protection Squadron as a Marine Enforcement Officer on behalf of the MMO. Harry is being appointed to the Seafish Board as a representative of the large catching sector.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is running a campaign to raise awareness of job scams and employment fraud among job seekers. DBS is working alongside JobsAware, Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI.

JobsAware is a non-profit organisation, with cross-government support, that informs people of how to avoid job scams and unfair working practices, and supports job seekers with suspected fraud, malpractice and other poor experiences.

Job scams are extremely prevalent in the current job market. During the pandemic, almost three in four job seekers (74%) applied for jobs that were not genuine.

Lack of awareness and education surrounding employment fraud is one of the reasons that job seekers fall victim to these scams – it’s important that job seekers are equipped with the relevant knowledge, enabling them to identify potentially fraudulent job adverts.

Information provided through fraudulent job adverts can be used in a number of ways by criminals, including identity theft.

Chair of JobsAware – previously known as SAFERjobs – Keith Rosser, says:

With the way we work and look for work continuing to evolve, job scams are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. We know how damaging it can be to fall victim to such scams now more than ever. That is why it’s important to educate and arm job seekers with the understanding and support they need to recognise and report suspected fraud.

Job scams: spotting the signs

The below infographic shows the common signs to look out for, when applying for a job.

Executive Director of Barring and Safeguarding at DBS, Dr Suzanne Smith, says:

The exploitation of job seekers has risen during the pandemic and the methods being used are more and more sophisticated. We know that some companies have taken money for DBS checks from unsuspecting job seekers, relieved that they have been promised a job but the DBS check never arrives and the job was never real. The negative impact on the person on the other end of these scams is significant – we are working alongside JobsAware to help prevent this from happening by raising awareness and signposting those affected to where they can get help.

Case studies

Case study one:

Amanda Paremain, 55, a job seeker from Birmingham, applied to a fake job advert on a popular jobs board website claiming to be from a holiday company. Despite not being asked to undertake an interview, she was offered the role, and then directed to a fake website to make a payment for a supposed DBS check. Before making the payment, Amanda made online checks, and found that others had been scammed by the same outfit.

Case study two:

Sami Ayubi, a 44-year old carer from Exeter, was offered a customer service role with a business that claimed to be a social network for footballers. After accepting the position, he was pressured to carry out an “expedited DBS check”. He was directed to a fake website for to make a “specially reduced” £15.99 payment and realised it was fraudulent. Sami has since discovered that many others have unfortunately fallen for the same scam.

Full versions of these case studies can be found here: Case studies (ODT, 9.56KB)

What to do if you think you have fallen victim to a job scam

If you suspect you have been targeted, been the victim of a job scam, or have been treated unfairly, please report the company and website to JobsAware via their portal and they will investigate and take further action if necessary.

If you have parted with money as part of a suspected job scam, please contact the police and they will take the matter further.

Further information

For more details on the campaign, or to speak to Dr Suzanne Smith of DBS, or Keith Rosser of JobsAware, please use the details below.

Primary and secondary schools have been invited to view a series of online films and activities via an interactive map in advance of the event, culminating in a live question and answer session with Environment Agency and World Wildlife Fund experts on the actual day.

By clicking on different points of the map, students can learn how plastic pollution travels through our toilets and drains to rivers and oceans having started life as a balloon, plastic food wrap, litter, clothing and agricultural materials.

They will also hear about climate change, household waste, how plastic has been found in rock pools, the different sizes of plastic (micro, macro and nanoplastics), and have the chance to take part in a competitive litter pick and art competition, plus other fun activities.

The resources have been created by the Environment Agency’s plastics and sustainability team on behalf of the Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution project.

Kelly Haynes, Environment Agency STEM engagement officer, said:

Expert evidence has shown that plastic in our environment has detrimental effects on flora and fauna in the natural world and that its presence affects our wellbeing.

By supporting World Ocean Day, we hope to bring to life some of these issues and encourage a circular economy for plastics, helping to protect the future of our wildlife and planet. Everyone can play a part in avoiding unnecessary plastic.

We hope this interactive learning programme will be a great motivational tool for students of all ages, inspiring them to make small environmental changes in their daily lives by following the avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle lifecycle mantra – doing their bit to help marine life thrive.

Schools can directly access the primary and secondary resources online, or sign up to the live question answer session via Eventbrite.

Notes for editors

Full url links:

Primary:https://indd.adobe.com/view/3b2b2c46-7582-45af-b082-bc751c5de00d 

Secondary: https://indd.adobe.com/view/3b2b2c46-7582-45af-b082-bc751c5de00d

World Ocean Day: WOD is an annual United Nations event to remind everyone of the major role oceans play in our everyday lives. It was initiated in 1992 and over 140 countries take part today. This year the calendar event is themed ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’ and falls in the same week as the G7 Summit in Cornwall.

Environment Agency role: Preventing waste plastic entering the environment by cracking down on waste crime and poor waste management is a key activity for the Environment Agency as a regulator. As an influencer, it also has an ambition to promote better environmental practices that result in a reduction of plastic waste, helping to achieve the goals and commitments outlined in its 5 year plan to create better places for people, places and the environment, and the government’s 25 year environment plan.

Preventing Plastic Pollution: Working in partnership with 18 organisations from across France and England, Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) seeks to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the river and marine environments. By looking at the catchment from source to sea, the project will identify and target hotspots for plastic, embed behaviour change in local communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions and alternatives.

PPP is a €14million funded EU INTERREG VA France (Channel) England Programme project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund which works mainly across seven pilot sites: Brest Harbour, Bay of Douarnenez, Bay of Veys, Poole Harbour, and the Medway, Tamar, and Great Ouse estuaries.

Partners are the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Queen Mary University of London, LABOCEA Conseil, Expertise et Analyses, Syndicat mixte établissement public de gestion et d’aménagement de la baie de Douarnenez, Office Français De La Biodiversité, Parc naturel marin d’Iroise, Brest Métropole, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Counseil départemental de la Manche, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, The Rivers Trust, Syndicat de bassin de l’Elorn, ACTIMAR, Brest’aim, Westcountry Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust and Plymouth City Council.

• Almost 50% increase in number of major companies committing to net zero under the UN’s Race to Zero since UK took on G7 Presidency in January 2021
• Government ministers welcome progress on climate action as UK convenes Business 7 Summit as part of its G7 Presidency, ahead of Leader-level discussions at G7 Summit in June
• COP26 President-Designate to call on businesses to follow this example with 6 months to go before UK hosts crucial UN climate change talks in November

COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will call on businesses around the world to take action to address climate change as the Business 7 Summit convenes later today (10 May).

As part of the UK’s Presidency of the G7 this year, the CBI is chairing the B7 summit to mobilise international business behind the G7 agenda and ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow this year. With tackling climate change and preserving the planet’s biodiversity as a key priority for the UK’s Presidency of the G7, Alok Sharma will join business leaders from G7 countries to discuss how business leadership can create a race to the top on net zero emissions.

Since the UK took on the G7 Presidency in January 2021 there has been a 47% increase in major companies signing up to the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign under the robust science-based Business Ambition for 1.5C initiative. These businesses now cover more than $13tn in market capital, and employ more than 19 million staff worldwide.

As of today (10 May) a total of over 2,000 companies from across 84 countries have committed to a net zero future. Actions to deliver on these pledges include Walmart working with over 3000 of its suppliers globally to reduce their emissions through transitioning to renewable energy and making their operations more efficient. Kingfisher is promoting sustainable home products to help customers save resources and money, and is close to sourcing 100% of its wood and paper responsibly. And Enel has installed 29 million second generation smart meters, and 736,000 charging stations for electric vehicles.

COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will continue to call for action for companies to join the Race to Zero and establish plans to meet their commitments. With 6 months to go before the UK brings world leaders together for the crucial UN climate change summit, COP26, he will today address over 200 CEOs from a range of sectors across G7+ countries, thanking companies that have already signed up and urging others to follow their lead in committing to help halve global emissions by 2030:

In the fight against climate change, it is vital that we have the ingenuity, influence and energy of the private sector on our side.

Analysis suggests that, together, 215 of the world’s biggest companies have almost $1 trillion at risk from climate impacts. Yet, those same companies have the potential to gain double that amount from the move to green economies.

Joining Race to Zero is a clear statement that you can see the possibilities our green future presents. And that you are determined to take them. And it tells your customers that you are serious about genuine climate action.

Take the opportunities presented by the low carbon economy. And play your part in this momentous year for climate action, the year of COP26, in making the goals of the Paris Agreement a reality.

The B7 summit will hear today from businesses that have recently joined the Race to Zero sharing ambition and best practice, including NatWest Group, Hitachi, Walmart, Yum Brands, and HP Inc.

Alison Rose, Chief Executive Officer of NatWest Group, said:

Tackling climate change is our generation’s most pressing issue and businesses can play a huge role by acting to decarbonise the economy and our environment. NatWest Group’s ambition is to be the UK’s leading bank in helping to address climate change. Our operations are already net zero and we have committed to halve the impact of our financed emissions by 2030 and for them to be net zero by 2050.

But we can’t solve this challenge alone, which is why we are supporting our customers to understand and reduce their carbon emissions.Through domestic and international collaboration like the B7 Climate Leaders’ Summit, businesses, governments, regulators and civil society must continue to work hand in glove to ensure a speedy transition to a zero carbon economy and society.

To accelerate further ambition, the UK Government will also this week launch ‘Tech For Our Planet’, in partnership with PUBLIC. This new digital innovation challenge will invite clean tech startups with digital solutions to climate challenges to trial technology and pitch their solutions to an international audience of industry, investors and the public at COP26.

Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBI President, said:

Business is bringing investment and innovation to make net zero a reality. By committing to reduce emissions based on these science-led standards, companies aren’t just doing their bit for our planet, they’re also creating new growth opportunities, new jobs and becoming more attractive employers.

As the UK’s largest business network, the CBI is delighted to become an Accelerator for the UN’s Race to Zero campaign – we’ll be supporting businesses to sign up and pick up the pace of progress.

Race to Zero is the largest global alliance of companies, cities, investors, regions and educational institutions credibly committed to halving global emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible, and by 2050 at the very latest. It mobilises a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 2,162 companies, 708 cities, 23 regions, 127 investors, and 571 educational institutions, and alone making up over 15% of the global economy. All actors must meet stringent criteria which will bring them to the starting line to credibly race to zero emissions.

Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26, said:

The science tells us that we must halve our emissions by 2030 if we are to deliver the promise of the Paris Agreement. Companies whose climate ambitions meet the criteria of Race to Zero are leading the way to a healthier, safer, zero carbon world – and I encourage every company, big or small, to join soon or risk getting left behind.

Around 800 of total companies signed up to the Race to Zero are UK-based, and the UK is the first country in the world to welcome over 100 major headquartered companies into the Race to Zero under the Business Ambition for 1.5C initiative. Over a third of FTSE100 companies are also now signed up to the Race to Zero.

Concluding the first day of the B7 summit, Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng sets out today his vision of business leadership for up to 60 CEOs from leading UK and global companies. The BEIS Secretary of State will be chairing a feedback session to hear and respond to CEO ideas on how business can work with government to deliver a green recovery and address global challenges in climate, digital and health.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

Today’s summit is a perfect example of Government and the private sector working hand in hand to tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and to deliver an investment-led green recovery.

Businesses wield incredible influence to drive change across society and the economy – we need to harness this power to fight climate change and build back better as we recover from the pandemic

Already a third of the UK’s largest businesses have pledged to eliminate their contribution to climate change by 2050 and we are mobilising £12 billion of public investment to unlock three times as much private sector investment by 2030.

It is thanks to this collective power of our wealth creators and government action that the UK is delivering the world-leading policies needed to meet our climate targets, with the UK government committing only last month to the highest emissions reduction target by a major economy to date.

Now as we approach 6 months to COP26 in Glasgow, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the UK’s world-class collaboration between government and business into motion, ensuring we can create jobs, attract private capital and revive our industrial heartlands. And it is my priority to seize it.

The closing session of the B7 will take place on Wednesday to discuss the UK’s G7 policy priorities of climate and the environment, ahead of the UK G7 Climate and Environment Ministerial, taking place on 20-21 May which will be co-chaired by COP President Designate, Alok Sharma, and Defra Secretary of State, George Eustice.

Participating B7 businesses are expected to put forward policy recommendations at the end of the summit, which will inform discussions at the G7 Summit in June, where G7 Leaders and guests will look to build agreement among the world’s most prominent democracies on how to create and sustain a green recovery from COVID.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

1. Between January 2021 and April 2021, 171 major companies joined the Race to Zero through the Business Ambition for 1.5C commitment, rising to 534 major companies – an increase of 47% on December 2020.
2. There are now 106 UK headquartered major companies in the Race to Zero campaign via the Business Ambition for 1.5C commitment.
3. Business Ambition for 1.5C is a call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders. It calls on companies to commit to set ambitious science-based emissions reduction targets. By setting a net-zero target in line with a 1.5°C future businesses can make their critical contribution to limiting the worst impacts of climate change.
4. The Business 7 (B7) Summit from 10 – 12 May is a mainstay of the G7 Presidency calendar. Led by the Confederation of British Industry this year, the three-day virtual summit brings together leading business organisations from across the G7 countries, with senior Government Ministers.
5. The G7 includes the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, plus the EU. The UK has invited Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa as guest countries to this year’s G7, which make up the G7+. A key policy priority for the UK’s G7 Presidency is tackling climate change and preserving the planet’s biodiversity. The joint G7 Climate and Environment Track will culminate in the Climate and Environment Ministerial on 20-21 May.
6. Companies from across the G7+ that have signed up to the Race to Zero since April 2021 include: Asahi Dell Technologies Apple Inc Mercer International Natwest Group Twitter Inc Johnson Matthey KAO Corporation Kingfisher Visa Inc Walmart Inc GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A Eiffage SECOM Co., Ltd. Grundfos Pumps India Ecology Africa Foundation
7. Tech for Our Planet is being run by the UK Government’s Together for Our Planet campaign in partnership with PUBLIC. The challenge will be launched on Wednesday 12 May, and will invite innovators from across the globe to apply to pilot and pitch their solutions to climate challenges to an international audience.