Aquaculture UK team staying on board for 2020, says new owner
Aquaculture UK will have a new owner but the same organisers this year following its acquisition by the UK division of Diversified Communications, which owns Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Expo North America.
Diversified announced it had bought the show from Benchmark Holdings subsidiary 5M on Friday.
In a press release, the company said the 5M team will remain involved and work with Diversified UK through the 2020 edition of Aquaculture UK, which is being held on May 19-21 at the Macdonald Resort, in Aviemore.
Personal interest
Diversified UK managing director Carsten Holm said: “We have been watching the growing success of the event and believe that its focus and subject matter complements our already substantial international presence in the sector extremely well.
“We also feel that the sense of community, customer focus, long-term vision and attention to detail, is very similar to how we approach our events.
“I also have a personal interest, having spent my early years working on Fishing News and Fish Farming International, so I really look forward to getting involved again.
“We have a great team here, who are looking forward to getting to know the sector, so it already feels like a perfect fit for our business and is an important development for Diversified’s UK division.”
‘Perfect home’
James Banfield, managing director of 5M, said the company was delighted to hand over the reins to Diversfied, which he said had a “deep understanding” of the sector.
“It feels like the perfect home for the event, and a natural development that will ensure the show continues to fulfil its potential and role as the leading forum for the UK’s aquaculture industry. This is a really exciting development and is great news for the event.”
Sheffield-headquartered Benchmark is selling off what it calls its non-core businesses such as 5M and its veterinary business, Fish Vet Group, to concentrate on its nutrition and genetics businesses and sea lice control in salmon farming.
The company said at the end of January that it had received indicative offers from several interested parties for its veterinary training and Fish Vet Group businesses and was talking to prospective buyers.
It said at the time that it was also in advanced discussions with a potential buyer for one of its smaller non-core businesses which may earn it another £2m before costs.
