New Boss For Training School – Fishupdate.com

THE Billingsgate Seafood Training School has announced the long-awaited successor to its former director Terry Smith.

Libby Woodhatch of the Greater London Group Training Association, who is also an independent industry consultant, has been given the job of turning the state-of-the-art facility into a profitable concern for the UK’s oldest fish market.

Ms Woodhatch says the School will endeavour to maintain its charity status by continuing to offer local children from Tower Hamlets access to some of its courses, and increasing the public’s awareness of seafood and possible related careers. This will be financed by the School’s commercial activities by tailoring courses to suit hotels, restaurants, caterers and retailers.

Commenting on her new position, Ms Woodhatch said she had big plans for the school. “My colleague Adam Whittle and myself possess all of the necessary industry knowledge and contacts to make the School a success. It is a very natural progression for us to take and we hope to attract many of London’s large hotel and restaurants in the near future. Some of the top restaurants have chefs that have never even filleted a fish. We aim to provide a service that can change that.”

The GTA has assumed full operational control of the School, with Ms Woodhatch acting as the facilities head; reporting to the Board of Trustees.

•For further details see the training feature in the July edition of European Fish Trader.