Two new directors were welcomed to the OATA Board at the trade association’s Annual General Meeting held on 4 December.

Jeremy Gay of Fishkeeping News and Mark Smith of Pets at Home join the 15 other voluntary Directors who make up the OATA Board.

EcoMarines’ Laura Carlin continues in the second year of her two-year stint at the helm before she hands over to Dr Donna Snellgrove, of Mars Petcare, who is current Vice Chair. OATA also said goodbye to Ben Bowles of Pets at Home and Ben Windeatt of Pets Choice who stepped down prior to the AGM.

OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee said: “We are very grateful to all those business people who volunteer their time to sit on our Board and offer their thoughts and expertise on our work programmes. The OATA team could not achieve what we do without their help and we look forward to hearing contributions from our two new Directors.”

OATA’s Board of Directors is currently made up of 17 people who represent the whole of the industry, from wholesalers and manufacturers to importers and retailers. The complete OATA Board of Directors is now made up of: 

• Laura Carlin, EcoMarines
• Robert Edgecock, Independent Aquatic Imports Ltd
• Caroline Everett, Anglo Aquatic Plants Co Ltd
• Jeremy Gay, Fishkeeping News
• Neil Hardy, Neil Hardy Aquatica Ltd
• Paul Hughes, Advanced Aquarium Consulting
• Phil Jones, Kingston Koi Company
• Simon Langdale, Maidenhead Aquatics
• Philip Lawton, Kidsgrove Tropicals
• Rob Peck, The Coral Centre
• Max Pedley, Ornamental Aquatics Wholesale
• Brian Schaff, TMC
• Mark Smith, Pets at Home
• Pete Smith, Aquasense (UK) Ltd
• Dr Donna Snellgrove, Mars Petcare
• Matt Stevenson, Seneye
• Maurits van de Pol, Aquadistri UK Ltd

There is still one vacancy on the Board, which is usually made up of 18 people. If you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to join the OATA board then you can join as an observer under the New Blood scheme. To find out more about what this involves call the OATA office on 07946 167121.

Watch the AGM highlights video here on the OATA YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/Oaa_Rgt1e8U