LINDA WOOD, AQUACULTURE & FISHERIES MANAGER AT MARKS AND SPENCER

Linda Wood, Aquaculture & Fisheries Manager at Marks and Spencer. Welcome to Fish Focus spotlight on Women in Seafood, Issue 3. Follow us as we celebrate the amazing women at the forefront of the seafood industry.

Pros and cons of being a woman in the seafood industry 

I have personally never emphasised or minimised the fact I am a female in the seafood industry. I have always felt that my sex is the least interesting thing about me and an irrelevant subject at work. I feel that by emphasising it, you actually do more harm than good to your credibility. Being female is not a disability or a superpower and I feel strongly that we should expect equality in the workplace regardless of sector.  My father brought me up to be treated equally on the farm and I have entered my working life expecting this.

I have a lot of experience of working in all male environments and being the only woman and working in all female environments and there being no men and I would not recommend either. The optimal, in my experience is a mix of people and sexes from all backgrounds and experiences with the one common link – passion for the subject, commitment to the cause and a drive to improve things.

When I have served on executive boards in 2 large processing companies on both occasions, I was the only female amongst 8/9 men. The MDs of both sites used to often say to me – we need more women in here and I would always reply – No you need more people in this room who are excellent leaders in their fields and will do a great job, regardless of sex.

Women in my opinion are as likely if not more likely to be excellent at their jobs and passionate and committed to drive the business forward, therefore they should be equally likely to get the top jobs.

How have I been accepted

I have always felt accepted in the various roles throughout my career, I would like to think this is due mainly to my attitude and work ethic but I have also had the privilege of working alongside some pioneering women in the seafood industry over the years, especially in seafood processing who showed me it was irrelevant the sex you were to be able to do the job.

I think you have to be professional and credible to be accepted and take the job seriously and conduct yourself well in work environments, so you do not undermine yourself by turning up to a fishing boat in a skirt and heels and expecting the crew to welcome you.

How do I see things changing for women in the industry

I think seafood manufacturing and CSR type roles have always been a good balance of male and female and most CSR roles now in UK supermarkets are filled by women. I have seen over recent years a significant increase in the visibility of women in the fishing fleet and that is very exciting. To see young, capable women going to sea on their own boats is hugely inspiring. We are seeing the same in UK land farming as well and I see no reason why this should not continue. Some jobs at sea may have previously been impossible for women due to the physical nature or strength required but as technology moves on this has improved which allows for better access for everybody.

I see this as benefiting the industry significantly as they bring different perspectives to the fore and help drive for improvement and change where it is needed

My ambitions

I intend to continue as I have been but now moving into my role in Community Catch, women in fisheries forms an integral part of our fishery development so we will be focusing on this agenda as we grown as Community Catch.

I will continue to drive innovation in the industry and hope to inspire individuals to drive for change and grab hold of opportunities to lead in this field.

Biggest achievement 

Over the past 2 years I have been one of the leading voices (maybe if I wasn’t being modest), the leading voice of championing a project to develop an on board electrical stunning and tailing machine for the Nephrop industry.

My goal was to improve the welfare of the animals, the goal of the fishermen was to automate the manual tailing process thus removing the need for as many crew, improving efficiencies and profitability for the boat, improving crew welfare and opening up new fishing opportunities

I am very proud of the fact that I was able to pull together the group of individuals to make this project happen and all bar one of them were men and with determination, honesty and drive you can successfully lead real change in the fishing industry.

Kara Bryson in FIS has been a real strength and great leader for us with this project and navigates the space very well.

Do I actively encourage young women and support them

Absolutely although I cannot point to an individual or person who I have mentored deliberately over the years as a woman, this is something I would love to do though, if that would be considered useful to people.

I do support all and any of the women I have had the privilege of working alongside over the years and I encourage them to stand proud and lead and make sure they aren’t just on the call as the note taker.

I have presented at many events over the years and have been told I inspire the younger generation to be a strong woman in the industry

 What advice would I give them 

Never start a sentence with the words – this might be a stupid question!

Turn up ready to listen and learn and respect that many people in the fishing industry are self-employed individuals and they don’t have to do anything they don’t want or need to do just because you think it’s a good idea.

Be prepared to get stuck in and dress appropriately for the job at the time.

Make sure you don’t automatically become the note taker in the room or on the call.

Make sure you don’t adopt the roll of caterer when you’re hosting or in a meeting – men can arrange sandwiches and make tea too!

Don’t expect to be treated differently, just focus on doing the best job regardless of your sex.