Laura aims to net award

BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has announced that eight finalists, two of whom are from Dublin, have been shortlisted for the BIM Seafood Retail Business Award 2018.

Laura Desmond, from Reid’s Fish Market in Howth, was one of four people shortlisted under the Independent Seafood Specialist category, with Scott Smullen of Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt named a Supermarket Seafood Manager finalist in the competition. 

Bord Iascaigh Mhara is specifically looking for retail managers that can demonstrate successful business models, excellent understanding of seafood, coupled with outstanding business and sales acumen.  

Applications were invited for the inaugural Seafood Business Retail Awards under two headings: Supermarket Seafood Counters and Independent Seafood Specialists. 

Four candidates from across Ireland have now been shortlisted in each category.  

The competition finals will take place in September when each of the finalists will present to a panel of business experts including retail mentor James Burke, entrepreneur and businessman Bobby Kerr, financial advisor Moira Creedon, and Ronald Hovenars, a food business mentor from Holland, who brings an international element of insight into progressive seafood retailing.

Speaking after the announcement of the finalists, Jim O’Toole, chief executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, said:

“The objective of this competition is to identify the seafood business with the best seafood business skillset.  

“The judges will be taking a critical look at management structures, future growth plans, sales and profit performance.  

“In September the finalists will need to reflect to the judges how they have implemented what they have learned through their mentoring with the experts in Bord Iascaigh Mhara for the benefit of the business, and how they plan to grow their businesses into the future.

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Mr O’Toole added:

“I wish them all the very best of luck.

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The winners of the competition will receive a prize package of business supports worth

?¬15,000 including branding and promotional advice, PR training, business mentoring and support, helping to further develop their business into the future.

BIM is the State agency responsible for developing the Irish seafood industry.