Seafood executive is new aquaculture and fisheries lead at M&S

Marks & Spencer has appointed Ruth Hoban as its new Fisheries and Aquaculture Manager, replacing Linda Wood, who has been in the post for nearly five years.

Hoban brings more than 10 years’ experience working in the seafood and fisheries sector, most recently as head of sustainability at UK seafood importer New England Seafood International (NESI).

Hoban has an academic background in Marine Environmental Management from the University of York.

Seafood sourcing

At NESI, where she has worked since 2016, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s responsible seafood sourcing strategy across its global wild and farmed seafood supply base.

“I’m delighted to have joined Marks & Spencer as Fisheries and Aquaculture Manager,” Hoban said in a LinkedIn post. 

“After nearly a decade with New England Seafood International, I’ve had the privilege of working across the seafood supply chain and with the wider seafood industry—collaborating with some of the most passionate and knowledgeable people, all committed to advancing responsible sourcing.

“Now, I’m excited to continue that journey at M&S—a business I believe leads with quality, innovation, and purpose, especially in its approach to food.”

Linda Wood will work part-time as a consultant for M&S and is CEO of Community Catch, a certification initiative launched at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona earlier this year and aimed at empowering small-scale fisheries and improving their access to global markets.