Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced the appointment of Caroline Bocquel as CEO of Seafood Development Agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
‘I am delighted to announce the appointment by BIM of Caroline Bocquel as its new Chief Executive Officer. In a period of unprecedented challenges for the seafood sector, Caroline’s extensive experience will help to ensure that BIM has the necessary leadership to deliver a sustainable future for Ireland’s seafood industry,’ Charlie McConalogue said.
As CEO of BIM, leading a team of 140 people located in six main coastal locations in Ireland, the new CEO will oversee the development of the Irish seafood sector, valued at €1.26 billion in 2021, building on its advantages, a strong commitment to sustainable fishing and the development of a high-quality aquaculture and seafood processing sector.
‘Caroline takes on the role of CEO at a time when BIM is charged with the implementation of a range of schemes for industry with a total value of €265 million under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) scheme, delivering on the recommendations of the recent Seafood Taskforce,’ Charlie McConalogue commented.
‘The aim of these schemes is to develop and restructure the sector, ensuring it is profitable and sustainable into the future and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on the sector. 2023 will also see the launch of the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF) schemes, with a value of €258 million, further supporting the sector’s ability for sustainable growth and development.’
Caroline Bocquel has extensive managerial and change leadership experience, with an emphasis on diversity, equality and inclusion with previous posts held including Director of Corporate Service in the Marine Institute and a period as Chief Financial Officer of GOAL (the international humanitarian response agency). Caroline is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland, holds a degree in business and languages from Technological University Dublin and has completed programmes at Harvard Business School and the Institute of Directors.
