Seafish appoints Colin Faulkner as new chief executive to steer UK seafood sector through evolving trade landscape
UK seafood trade association Seafish has revealed that Colin Faulkner will become its next Chief Executive Officer, assuming the role from 12 January 2026. Faulkner currently leads the international fisheries and seafood trade policy team at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He will succeed Marcus Coleman, who has been at the helm for ten years and is preparing to step down on 17 December 2025. Following his departure from Seafish, Coleman is set to take on a new leadership position as Chief Executive of the Water Management Alliance and its Member Boards early next year.
Mike Sheldon, Chair of Seafish, expressed the organisation’s strong confidence in Faulkner's appointment, underscoring his substantial seafood industry expertise and the productive working relationship he has already established with Seafish over several years. Sheldon highlighted the challenge Faulkner faces in filling the large shoes left by Coleman but affirmed the board's faith in Faulkner’s ability to successfully lead the organisation going forward. This transition marks a significant leadership milestone for Seafish, which has played a central role in supporting the UK seafood sector through policy development, sustainability efforts, and trade facilitation.
Faulkner himself described his appointment as the start of an exciting new phase, signalling his eagerness to work collaboratively with all sectors of the UK seafood industry and the wider Seafish team to elevate the organisation’s influence and achievements. Since 2018, he has been instrumental in shaping the UK’s international fisheries and seafood trade policies amid a complex geopolitical environment marked by post-Brexit trade realignments and evolving sustainability standards. His previous roles include Director of Government Affairs at the UK Green Investment Bank and Macquarie in EMEA, alongside various policy positions within both the UK and Scottish Governments, encompassing constitutional, environmental, and fisheries portfolios. This diverse background equips Faulkner with a comprehensive understanding of the intersecting regulatory, economic, and environmental factors impacting the seafood sector.
Seafish, as the authoritative body supporting the UK seafood industry, is tasked with enhancing the sustainability, commercial viability, and global competitiveness of the sector. It operates across the supply chain to deliver research, innovation, and policy guidance aimed at strengthening fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing industries. The appointment of Faulkner reflects Seafish’s intent to maintain robust leadership that can navigate the ongoing challenges of industry adaptation, international trade negotiations, and resource management.
This leadership change occurs at a time when the UK seafood sector faces heightened scrutiny over environmental impact alongside growing opportunities for market expansion. Experts acknowledge that Faulkner's policy expertise will be pivotal in steering Seafish through evolving trade scenarios and regulatory frameworks, particularly as the UK seeks to solidify its position in global seafood markets. The handover from Coleman is anticipated to be smooth, given the close collaboration noted between the departing and incoming CEOs.
Overall, Seafish’s announcement signals continuity and ambition within the sector, reaffirming the association’s commitment to serving its members effectively while embracing new challenges and growth prospects under Faulkner's stewardship.