Chris Ranford will be the next Chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organizations. He was elected recently by the NFFO’s Executive Committee and will take up the Chair later in the year after the Federation’s AGM. His day job is as Chief Executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organization, where he succeeded Paul Trebilcock as CEO in 2021.

Current NFFO, Paul Gilson, who is expected to move up to become President, at the AGM, said:

“Although Chris has sat round the Executive Committee table for a relatively short time, he is an example of a wise head on young shoulders and has earned a great deal of respect over that period. I have no doubt that I am handing over the chair to a very safe pair of hands.”

NFFO Chief Executive Barrie Deas added, “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 as fisheries amateur, helping the industry to navigate routes to access support and grant funding, and secondly liaising with policymakers 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. All that is perfect for his new role, and in addition, he is a superb communicator.”

As Chairman of the NFFO, Chris will not have an easy ride. 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 organization strategy will all come in handy.