Salmon industry bids farewell to Michael Gibson CBE and welcomes new Chairman

Salmon farming’s trade organisation is to bid farewell to Michael Gibson CBE and welcome a new Chairman, Professor Phil Thomas.

Michael Gibson CBE has stepped down as Non-Executive Chairman of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) after almost two years in the post due to an increased workload and an expanding role at the Scottish Association of Marine Science, the charity with responsibility for promoting, delivering and supporting high-quality independent research and education in the marine environment.

Whilst in the part-time position with SSPO, Mr Gibson has been influential in ensuring that the salmon farming industry has received recognition for its vital contribution to the social, economic and nutritional wellbeing of Scotland within local and national governments as well as the various regulators and stakeholders.

Alan Balfour of Sutherland based Loch Duart Ltd and an SSPO Board member, paid tribute to Mr Gibson’s contribution: “Michael has played a significant part in the industry’s development over the last couple of years. We thank him for his support, his independence of mind and his constructive challenge to the Board. During his time in office he has significantly helped to position the industry as one of Scotland’s foremost food producing sectors in rural Scotland.”

Mr Gibson said: “My involvement with the salmon sector has reinforced in me its importance to Scotland and I shall continue to make sure it is properly recognised by a wide group that can influence its future development.”

Professor Phil Thomas will take up the position with immediate effect. Welcoming the new Chairman, Mr Balfour added: "I am very happy to welcome Phil as Non-Executive Chairman of SSPO.

“He has shown excellent leadership as Chairman of the Code of Good Practice Management Group for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture, and his wide involvement with various Boards in the areas of food, environment and rural development will provide essential continuity as the SSPO forges ahead with its priority areas,” he added.

Professor Thomas said: “I am delighted at the prospect of having an increased involvement with the salmon industry. Aquaculture makes such a huge contribution to Scotland’s food sector and to the rural economy – and I have had a long-standing personal and professional interest and involvement in both.”

Professor Thomas’s career has included a range of experience in research, technology transfer, education, management and consultancy. He is co-author of several books and over 200 other publications.

Notes to editors:

1. Professor Thomas is a Chartered Biologist, a Registered Nutritionist, a Fellow of the Institute of Biology, a Fellow of Royal Agricultural Societies and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is currently a Board Member of Quality Meat Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage and is Chairman of the Code of Good Practice Management Group for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture. He has participated in the Scottish Government’s Ministerial Working Group for Aquaculture from its inception in 2002. An Emeritus Professor of Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), he currently works as an independent consultant and researcher.

2. Professor Thomas is a former Principal and Chief Executive of SAC, and until recently Chaired the Animal Medicines Regulatory Training Authority and the Central Scotland Forest Trust. He is also a former Chair of the UK Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs and a former Member of the Scottish Food Advisory Committee of the Food Standards Agency and the Board of Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA).

3. Michael Gibson CBE joined SSPO on 1st June 2006 shortly after the new trade organisation was created. He came to the salmon farming industry with over 30 years experience in the North East as a primary beef producer, processor, judge and consultant. He was a founder board member of the Food Standards Agency and chaired the independent Scottish Food Advisory Committee advising the Agency in Scotland. In addition to this, he is currently Chairman of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and represented on the following: Shadow Board of the Scottish Association of Marine Science; Quality Meat Scotland Beef & Sheep Standard Setting Body, and; the Board of the Local Better Regulation Office.

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For further information, contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, 01738 587 006 / 07974 173739.

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