• Can you share more about how Benchmark’s corporate efforts can help break any biases women may experience in the aquaculture sector?

At Benchmark, we believe that akey to inspiring new ideas and better approaches is fostering a diverse range of experiences, perspectivesand views. I genuinely believe that the bestcompanies gain strength from betterrepresentation of women–something that we are mindful of at Benchmark. Benchmark hasan inclusiveand collaborative culture,centred around our values-which encourages views to be expressed and considered at all levels of the organisation. This is reflected in the high levels of engagement and overall satisfaction reported in our most recent Employee Engagement survey. When it comes to specific actions to promote gender diversity, Benchmarkfocus on recruitment and development ensuring there isa diverse pool of candidates in every searchand that all members of our teams get equal access to development and promotion opportunities. In addition we are committed to nurturing existing talent within the company, supporting women throughout their careers and empowering female leaders to act as role models and mentors.Part of our approach has been welcomingthe Hampton-Alexander Reviewtargets, which included a 33% target for female representation on boards and in senior management. As ofSeptember 2021, the percentage of female Directors on our Board stood at 29%, and the percentage of females in senior management roles stood at 51%.People can have outdated or inaccurate perception of certain industries. We believe it is important to show that the aquaculture industry –and every role within it –is well suited for anyone. Historically, there were some roles within the sector that were seen to bemore ‘female’, such as working in health, or more ‘male’, like working on-site.I am a real-life example that this is false. Nonetheless, we still need to dispel these unhelpful biases toachievea diverse workforce in all areas of the business.

• Why is this effort important to you personally or professionally?

I was fresh out of university when I joined Benchmarkin 2012,so I have really built my career here and been fortunate to work with great people determined to make a difference. I have now been with Benchmark for almost 10years and I am proud to manage a team that includes four incredible women, from Strategic Sea Lice Managers, to Technical Services Specialists and Environmental Programme Specialists. The team is a tremendous asset to Benchmark, possessing a wealth of industry and on-site experienceand acting as the primary points of contact for our customers. I have benefited from great mentors and role models throughout the years,and it is exciting to be paying this forward, supporting the next diverse generation of leaders in aquaculture. I truly don’t believe I would be where I am today without the unwavering support of my colleagues over the last few years.