Scottish Sea Farms scooped the Economic Sustainability Award at the 2022 U.K. Aquaculture Awards in recognition of advances the company has made with employee recruitment and retention.
In 2020, the producer set a goal of becoming the employer of choice within the sector and communities, and been reviewing and revising its key policies ever since, according to Scottish Sea Farms Head of Human Resources and Business Support Tracy Bryant-Shaw.
“Because ensuring we are meeting the needs and wants of today’s employees is crucial if we are to continue recruiting and retaining the best people, and this latest award win – which comes on the back of triple Investors in People reaccreditation in 2021 – is further affirmation of the very real strides that we are making,” she said.
Scottish Sea Farms has since its enhanced maternity and paternity packages for all employees with one or more years’ service.
“It’s supporting those who support the business and will hopefully encourage more women into the sector too,”
Scottish Sea Farms Summer Isles Farm Manager Sarah Last, a new mother, said. She praised the company for providing support to new families at a level far above the normal government statutory rate.
Scottish Sea Farms has also recently trialed a scheme to help working parents in Shetland by offering them 25 percent toward the cost of childcare, and work is now underway to roll out the scheme across the entire company.
Also at the awards, Scottish Fish Farms’ Charlotte’s Bay Farm Manager Stephen Woods was named Finfish Farmer of the Year for his commitment to fish welfare and outstanding farming results.
“It’s nice to get recognition of the hard work and dedication over the years,” Woods said. “I’ve always felt well-supported and appreciated by the company itself, but this sector award is the icing on the cake – not just for myself but for my wife and family who see firsthand just how much I put into my role.”
Scottish Sea Farms is co-owned by Lerøy Seafood and SalMar, operating 58 active marine farms, three freshwater hatcheries, and three processing facilities across Scotland’s West Coast and Northern Isles. The company directly employs over 650 people.
Photo courtesy of Scottish Sea Farms
