JOSETTE FOSTER, BREAKING BARRIERS

Josette Foster, breaking barriers, a life of strength and equality. Fish Focus celebrates women in seafood in our latest publication.

From an early age growing up in the 1970s, I was always in awe of strong female role models who made their mark in what was largely a man’s world. For people who know me now, this might be hard to believe, but I was a very shy child. I’m not sure exactly when that changed, but I went on to build two careers in industries that were, at the time, dominated by men.

My first step into that world came when I became the youngest, single female licensee in the country at the age of 21. I still vividly remember my day in court applying for my licence alongside the brewery solicitor. As the first female applicant, I was grilled relentlessly by the judge about licensing laws. Thankfully, I had studied that area of law at university, and held my own. My solicitor later told me he’d never seen anything like it and was deeply impressed by my knowledge and composure.

In the 1980s, I joined Gallaher Ltd, a tobacco company, as the only female member of the sales team. It was a tough environment at first, but I held my own and, in time, gained the respect of my male colleagues.

Following a long and fulfilling career in further education, first as a teacher of hospitality and later in senior leadership. I’m pleased to say that equal opportunities for women had become far more established. I never felt the need to fight for recognition in that environment, which was both refreshing and encouraging.

After taking voluntary redundancy, I purchased Fish and Chips at Weston Grove in Chester in 2016. Even in this venture, I quickly saw how assumptions about gender still lingered. When supplier reps visited, they often asked to speak to my late husband, Richard, assuming he was “the boss.” It used to infuriate me, though Richard, ever my biggest supporter, would always reply, “You’d better speak to the boss!” To this day, when sales callers of utilities ask to speak to the manager, I have to laugh. Sometimes it’s easier to just say “the boss isn’t in”!

In my current role on the National Fish and Chip Awards judging team, I’ve seen first-hand the progress women have made in our industry, though there are still moments that remind me of how far we’ve come. I once sat in a meeting with sales and marketing director from a food service supplier from our industry, he casually dismissed women’s progress, supported by others who joined in with, “We’ve got to do our bit.” It felt like stepping back into the 1970s. I and others challenged their mindset immediately but it sadly probably won’t change their attitude.

Thankfully, those attitudes are now the minority. I see far more men today who champion the talented and hardworking women in their teams.

As a judge, I’m immensely proud of the incredible women representing our industry, from shop owners to suppliers to those representing the fishing trade. There are too many strong, respected women to name, which speaks volumes about how far we’ve come as an industry.

Personally, I don’t believe we need “women-only” events in fish and chips. To me, that implies there’s still an issue and I believe we’ve moved beyond that. What we do need is more mentoring, so that anyone who wants guidance can find it.

Today, I run the business alongside my daughter, Joëlle, and her partner. Joëlle is a strong, capable woman who continues to challenge stereotypes in her own right. I’m so proud to see her take the helm ensuring that the spirit of strength, equality, and determination lives on in the next generation.

We will be posting each individual article on our website over the coming weeks, but you can read the complete issue in our publications section here.

If you are a women working in the seafood/marine industry and you would like to be part of our next issue of Women in Seafood, or if you know of someone who you think should be, please contact me at mary@fishfocus.co.uk

Image: Josette Foster