Ÿnsect, Urchinomics appoint new CEOs; Tesco's head of sustainability departs

To keep up to date with the latest personnel changes across the seafood industry, SeafoodSource is compiling a regular round-up of hiring announcements and other personnel-related shifts worldwide If you have an announcement, please send it to [email protected].

 - Paris, France-based insect protein company Ÿnsect has appointed Shankar Krishnamoorthy as its new CEO. Krishnamoorthy will replace Antoine Hubert,  the company's co-founder who is moving into the role of executive vice president and manager of investor relationships and fundraising. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, Krishnamoorthy began working at Ÿnsect in May 2021 as head of international development.

“Today, I take over from Antoine Hubert, as we take a crucial step in Ÿnsect's evolution: the transition from a scale-up to a fully operational industrial company. I am driven by a deep sense of commitment and determination to guide Ynsect into this new phase,” Krishnamoorthy wrote on his LinkedIn profile.  “By the end of the year, our production site in Amiens will start producing ingredients to meet the growing demand of our customers and I will continue to support the company in its next stage of growth, that of development and profitability. I am honored by the trust the board has placed in me and would like to thank Antoine for his dedication and the vision he has shown in launching Ÿnsect and leading the company in these first 12 years. I look forward to working with all members of the Ÿnsect team to collectively address our challenges and work tirelessly to achieve our mission. The future is ahead of us!”

- On 7 July, New Zealand King Salmon announced Carl Carrington has been appointed CEO. 

“Carl brings a wealth of executive and governance experience to New Zealand King Salmon at a time when the company is re-setting it’s strategic and operational focus following a challenging period,” the company said in a press release. “Carl has led a number of significant businesses over the past 30 years, including McCashins Brewery, as general manager and Heineken-Lion Australia, where he was managing director of the Australian business, after a number of earlier commercial, sales, and management roles.”

- Perry Bevin announced on 13 July via LinkedIn he has taken on the role of CEO of sea urchin ranching company Urchinomics. Bevin was joined the company as COO in February 2023.

“Looking forward to driving our next phase of growth with this amazing company,” Bevin wrote on LinkedIn. 

- At the end of June, Anna Turrell stepped down from her role as head of sustainability at U.K. supermarket chain Tesco after three years. 

“I joined Tesco because I am passionate about the food industry and driving positive change. Coming from Nestlé, I wanted to experience another vital part of the food value chain to better understand how we can drive systemic change and retail was the obvious choice. It didn’t disappoint,” Turrell posted on her LinkedIn. "More info to come on what’s next…"

- On 12 July, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced two promotions for its senior management team. Chris Weeks has been promoted to the position of vice president of program integrity. Weeks joined GSA in 2017 as program integrity manager, and was promoted to program integrity director in 2021, GSA said in a press release.

“I am proud to be part of an integrity department and institution that continues to demonstrate leadership in stakeholder assurances that wild-caught and farmed seafood can be responsibly sourced across the entire production chain." Weeks said. "Stay tuned for exciting new programs coming out of GSA in the near future.”

Belinda Braley has also been promoted, becoming GSA's chief people officer. Since 2018, Braley has been GSA's vice president of human resources and diversity and inclusion.

 - Earle Rubin has been appointed vice president of national retail sales for Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A.-based Fortune International. Prior to joining Fortune, Rubin was senior director of retail sales at Niman Ranch and, before that, vice president of sales at Wellshire Farms. 

“In his new role, Rubin will play a key part in bringing together Fortune’s retail sales teams by identifying new growth opportunities and implementing successful sales strategies,” Fortune said.

Fortune International also announced the appointment of Michael Santillo as its director of sales and strategic partnerships. 

“Santillo will support Rubin in the coordination of sales teams while overseeing and executing brand partnerships. In her new role, Burling will lead the newly established supply chain solutions team, responsible for master data management, data governance, and the development and implementation of supply chain systems, analytics tools, and reporting,” Fortune said. 

Kelly Burling has been named vice president of supply chain solutions at Fortune. Prior to joining Fortune, Burling was chief operating officer at Culinary Collective, an importer and distributor of specialty food products and a Fortune supplier. 

- On 10 July, Seattle Fish Co. Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs Director Ken Boyer has been appointed president of the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials. 

“When I first joined WAFDO nine years ago, I noticed a lack of food industry experts in leadership positions,” Boyer said. “I’m honored to not only represent the seafood sector but to invest time in this community to provide a perspective from industry experts. During my presidency this year, I intend to continue WAFDO’s incredible work and to seek to foster increased collaboration from industry experts within the organization and on the leadership board.”

- Shipping and logistics company UWL announced on 10 July the appointment of Peter Vigil as its director of reefer sales. 

"Peter's expertise and experience in the reefer industry will give clients the opportunity to capitalize on the growing opportunities in international trade and meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide", UWL said in a release. "We would be delighted to arrange an interview with Peter to discuss his vision for boosting U.S. agricultural exports, the strategies he plans to implement, and the anticipated impact on the industry"

Photo courtesy of Ÿnsect