Diez-Padrisa named as Mowi Scotland production director
Mowi Scotland has announced the appointment of fish vet Meritxell Diez-Padrisa as its new production director, starting next month.
Diez-Padrisa, who is currently Mowi Scotland’s head of fish health, replaces outgoing production director Gideon Pringle, who handed in his notice in November and is joining Scottish Sea Farms.
Mowi said Diez-Padrisa had been given the job after a thorough recruitment process involving qualified internal and external candidates.
Strong team
The new production director has been employed with the company since 2011, apart from a break in 2015-16 when she worked as head of fish health for Spanish sea bream and sea bass farmer Grupo Culmarex, owned by Canadian salmon farmer Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Diez-Padrisa has worked as Mowi Scotland’s head of fish health since 2017.
Mowi Scotland and Ireland chief operating officer, Ben Hadfield, said: “Meritxell will lead a strong and refreshed farming team, and will enhance our production capabilities by leveraging her vast fish health and welfare experience.”
Improve farming results
“I am looking forward to bringing my expertise and focus to this role, to better improve our farming results,” said Diez-Padrisa.
“We have been very candid about the challenges we face growing salmon in their natural and wild environment, and I am pleased to know, very well, the highly-skilled team of experts that will be working with me.”
Diez-Padrisa holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Barcelona (2008) and a Masters in Aquatic Veterinary Studies from the University of Stirling (2009).
Three regions
Other changes to Mowi Scotland’s mid-management positions are also being made to further support recently announced changes to parent company Mowi’s organisational structure and its group management team that sees increased focus on its farming activities to improve biological results.
Mowi’s farms will now be organised into three regions – South, North and Western Isles – rather than the previous five regions.
A Mowi spokesperson said each region will include farm management, supported by a dedicated team of operational and fish health experts. All positions have been filled by current Mowi employees.
Diez-Padrisa’s management team comprises:
- Deputy Production Director: Sean Anderson
- Regional Manager North: Stephen Jamieson
- Regional Manager South: David MacGillivray
- Regional Manager Western Isles: Kris Laird.
