RSPCA honour for Marine Harvest veteran Bracken
Marine Harvest Scotland’s longest-serving employee, Steve Bracken, has been given a surprise presentation by RSPCA Assured to recognise the work he’s contributed and help he has given in the 16 years the scheme has been running.
Malcolm Johnstone, aquaculture manager with RSPCA Assured (formerly known as Freedom Food), and his colleague John Avizienius made the presentation to Bracken, MH Scotland’s business support manager.
Johnstone said Bracken had been a great advocate of the scheme from the very beginning and was the main contact within Marine Harvest. He added that without Bracken’s help, time, knowledge and patience he did not think they would be where they are today.
The award was for Bracken’s contribution towards fish welfare within Marine Harvest Scotland and ultimately the industry as a whole.
Delighted and honoured
Bracken said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this very special award which is totally unexpected. It’s all been down to team work in getting us where we are today with a robust fish welfare standard, and I’m just very pleased to have played a part in taking the RSPCSA Assured Standard forward in MHS.”
Bracken will retire at the end of July, after 41 years with the company.
Beginning his career as fish farm assistant at Lochailort on May 23, 1977, he is the longest serving employee at Marine Harvest.
He has held varying management positions during his four decades of service, including a three-year posting in Sri Lanka, before moving to his current role in 2000 where he has engaged with media, governments, customers, local communities, and NGOs.
Ian Roberts, formerly public relations director for Marine Harvest Canada, is taking on the role of communications and business development director, Scotland.
