SAIC appoints aquaculture expert to new director role

The Scotland-based Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has announced the forthcoming departure of director of innovation and engagement, Sarah Riddle, and the arrival of sector stalwart Ed Ley-Wilson, as the innovation centre begins a new phase of its development.

After more than three years at SAIC, Riddle has decided to focus more on her family business, Northern Light Consulting. She continued as a director in the consultancy alongside her part-time role at SAIC after joining the innovation centre in May 2020.

The SAIC said that during her time with the organization, it has seen its membership consortium exceed 340 organisations, and it reached the milestone of 100 funded R&D projects.

Ley-Wilson will now take up the newly created role of director of innovation and business development, as SAIC looks to its third phase.

Most recently head of aquaculture at Aquascot, a supplier of Scottish salmon products, he has 16 years’ experience in salmon farming, food processing, and retailer engagement. He has worked with universities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the aquaculture supply chain, regulators, and industry leadership groups and has expertise in innovation around fish welfare and feed alternatives, as well as sustainability and community impact.