The next Chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations will be Chris Ranford, elected recently by the NFFO’s Executive Committee. He takes up the Chair later this year, following the federation’s AGM.
‘Although Chris has sat round the executive committee table for a relatively short time, he’s an example of a wise head on young shoulders and has earned a great deal of respect over a that period. I have no doubt that I am handing over the chair to a very safe pair of hands,’ said current NFFO chairman Paul Gilson, who is expected to to become the federation’s President.
His day job is as chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, where he took over as CEO from Paul Trebilcock in 2021.
‘Beyond his formal qualifications, Chris has built up a huge body of knowledge about the industry through working directly with fishermen and fishing vessel operators, firstly an fisheries animateur, helping the industry to navigate routes to access support and grant funding, and secondly liaising with policy makers and decision-making processes to shape grant schemes in the first place. He is used to operating within the many different aspects of the industry,’ commented NFFO chief executive Barrie Deas.
‘All that is perfect for his new role and in addition, he is a superb communicator.’
He added that as Chairman of the NFFO, Chris can’t expect an easy ride as the fishing industry faces an array of formidable challenges, not least the spatial squeeze from offshore wind and the expanding network of marine protected areas. The development and application of the first generation of post-CFP fisheries management plans will also come to fruition on his watch, as will the end of the TCA adjustment period in 2026.
Chris’s experience in recruitment and training, infrastructure needs, marketing initiatives and producer organisation strategy will all come in handy.
