2021 Chairperson Awards

10 CEO MONTHLY / CHAIRPERSON AWARDS 2021 , Aug21703 Best Fishing Management Forum Platform Chairman (Scotland): SimonMacdonald The area covered under the remit of West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group extends from Cape Wrath in the extreme north to the English border in the Solway Firth to the south, taking in the Inner Hebridean Islands of Skye, Mull, Islay, Jura and Arran, plus the Firth of Clyde. The West Coast RIFG is by far the largest of the five RIFGs covering all of Scotland. WCRIFG was formed to manage the interests of west coast fishers, for the betterment of the fishing industry. The purpose is to give the fishers of all types of fishing, be it mobile gear (trawling and dredging) of static gear (pots, creels and fixed nets), or scallop divers, a direct voice to the Scottish government. Simon Macdonald joined WCRIFG as chair in January 2020 on the retirement of his predecessor. He has been involved in fisheries for over 40 years, starting his career as a creel fisherman in a remote West Highland village. He also had a small trawler, thereby gaining vital experience in both mobile and static gear. Simon was instrumental in forming the Highlands and Islands Fishermen’s Association (SG) to work with Scottish fishers West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group (WCRIFG) is the preferred forumof Scottish Government to workwith inshore fisheries out to the 12-mile limit on Scotland’s west coast. In light of company chair, SimonMacdonaldbeing recognisedwithinCEOMonthly’s Chairperson Awards 2021, we got in touchwith him to learnmore about his career and the company. in resolving many of the management issues that crop up regularly in the industry. In 1987, Simon set up a fish processing business in the same remote village. He said, “When I say remote, it would cost me 10 litres of petrol to go and buy five litres! I grew this business based on quality of product and quality of service, until I was eventually supplying my international award- winning smoked products from Beverley Hills in the west to Tokyo in the east. I supplied into five Royal Households, three US Presidents, Concorde, and other airlines for first-class travel and Cunard, as well as top hotels, restaurants, and stores. My business expanded into consultancy work, helping new businesses start and grow. I also became involved with many television programmes on food and drink, both in the UK and overseas.” Simon also joined the Board of Lochaber Enterprise, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network from 2000 to 2006 as Vice Chairman. The work involved helping new and existing businesses grow in the Lochaber area of west Scotland. This work would involve mentoring, advising and providing financial assistance to up and coming businesses. Simon sold his processing business in 2012 and continued in fisheries on a consulting basis, which took him to South Africa for five years, advising on fisheries and processing as well as introducing the Hazzard and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system to the South African food industry. When his contracts were completed, Simon moved to the South of France where he carried on his consultancy work, advising to the oyster growing industry in L’Etang du Thau, where one fifth of the oysters of France are grown. He helped develop new techniques which increased the growth rate and quality of the oysters and helped set up a Cooperative of growers in the area to benefit their marketing and adding value of oysters to the global market. He then returned to Scotland to take up his present role as Chair of WCRIFG, drawing on his wealth of experience. Regarding his role as Chair, we asked Simon about how he approaches leading the team at WCRIFG. He said, “I am very hands-on. I talk to people. Communication is everything. I look forward to Monday mornings. If you don’t look forward to a Monday, then it is time to look for a new career. I have energy, which is a key ingredient for a leader. You have to be first up and last to turn in and your energy has to be seen as fresh at the beginning of the day as at the end. This creates enthusiasm, which in itself is infectious.” So, what are the possibilities for the future for himself and the business? Simon said, “The sky is not the limit while there are footprints on the moon.” He added, “Having worked at the hard end of fisheries, all I want to see is my legacy continue and help others prosper.” Company: West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group Contact: Simon Macdonald Website: http://www.rifg.scot