With Ian Gatt preparing to step down after 16 years as CEO of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA), the board has appointed Hannah Fennell to take over the role.
A well known figure in the Scottish fishing industry, she’s joining SPFA next month for a handover period of a year or more alongside the outgoing CEO.
Hannah Fennell has extensive experience of the fisheries sector. She became the first female president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in 2023, a role she continues to hold. She was CEO of the Orkney Fisheries Association (OFA) from 2020 until September 2025, prior to which she was a researcher with the Marine Directorate (previously Marine Scotland) and a researcher with the OFA. She is Chair of UK Women in Fisheries, a trustee of Fishing into the Future and in the final stages of a PhD on fisheries management
‘Hannah’s appointment comes at a crucial time for pelagic fisheries as the sector faces a raft of challenges that are not only confined to fisheries management but also wider issues such as the loss of vital fishing grounds to the offshore renewable sector. Hannah will hit the ground running given her leadership experience in fisheries both with the Orkney Fisheries Association and as SFF president,’ said SPFA chairman Richard Williamson.
‘I am delighted to be taking on the role of CEO Designate of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association. The pelagic fleet is one of the UK’s most important and best-managed fishing sectors and is a vital part of the UK economy,’ Hannah Fennell said on her appointment.
‘My priority is to ensure that the interests of pelagic fishermen are clearly and fully heard by policymakers and decision-makers domestically and internationally, as well as to continue to build on the excellent work already being carried out by the SPFA and its members. The Scottish pelagic fleet has a strong international reputation for responsible fishing and effective management, and I am very much looking forward to working with SPFA members, the Board and industry partners to build on that success.’
Ian Gatt has steered SPFA through a challenging period for the Scottish pelagic fishing industry, including international disputes over quota shares and increasing regulation affecting the sector.
‘Ian has led our sector brilliantly during his tenure and we are delighted that he will continue to do so for the next 12-18 months to ensure Hannah is ready and well-equipped to take over the CEO role,’ Richard Williamson commented.
Ian Gatt said he’s looking forward immensely to working closely with Hannah Fennell during the handover period.
‘We had an extremely productive working relationship when I was SFF President and Hannah held the role of Vice-President at that time. The SPFA role will be new territory for Hannah but she has tremendous abilities and I am confident she will quickly get to grips with the complexities and intricate nuances of the pelagic sector.’
