Young’s Seafood Limited, and its parent company Young’s Seafood International Holdings, are today announcing important leadership and governance changes.
Pete Ward will step down from his position as Chief Executive of Young’s UK business operations with effect from Monday 11 July 2016. Pete has worked at Young’s for 38 years and has spent more than 24 years in Board level positions, most recently as Chief Executive of Young’s Seafood Limited. This decision follows the completion of a strategic review of Young’s, led by Pete Ward, which has focussed the business on driving top line growth through new commercial strategies, innovation, and a greater emphasis on foodservice and exports. Having put the plan into action, championed the company’s Virtual Integration strategy and established a strengthened and expanded Operating Board capable of delivering the company’s new strategy, Pete now wishes to pursue opportunities outside of Young’s to promote the UK seafood industry as a whole.
Bill Showalter, currently CEO of the parent company Young’s Seafood International Holdings, will assume the responsibilities of Chief Executive of the operating company, Young’s Seafood Limited, in addition to his existing duties until a new Chief Executive is announced. Bill Showalter has over 28 years’ experience of working in the seafood, food and consumer-facing industries. Bill joined Young’s in 2013 and was appointed CEO of Young’s Seafood International Holdings in January 2016.
Bill Showalter said: “I’d like to thank Pete for his contribution to Young’s Seafood Limited. Under his leadership, we have been able to build a strong business, develop a great leadership team, establish Young’s Virtual Integration strategy and complete the Company’s Strategic Review. The company is the number one UK seafood processor, and Pete’s vision and drive have been invaluable in achieving this success. Our focus continues to be on inspiring people to love fish now and for generations to come, and on providing great service to our customers and consumers.”
Pete Ward, outgoing Chief Executive of Young’s Seafood Limited, said: “Young’s has been a huge part of my life for the past 38 years. My commitment to the seafood industry, and the local communities in which we are located, continues to be important to me and I will now be able to dedicate more of my time to these priorities.”
