The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has appointed a new scientific support officer.
Leigh-Marie Hobday joins from the Coral Centre where she was operations and propagation manager. Before that, she was a marine invertebrate taxonomist involved in studying the health of UK waters, and has attained a BSc (Hons) in Marine Environmental Science as well as a Masters in Applied Aquatic Biology.
In her new role Hobday will support OATA’s Scientific and Technical Advisor Emily Maunder with analysis, research and evaluation on a range of issues affecting the industry, and support the delivery of the trade body’s City & Guilds-accredited training programmes.
OATA chief executive Dr Matthew Bond said: “Leigh-Marie has a strong background in a retail environment, particularly working with corals and marine inverts which will bring really valuable expertise to the team. Leigh’s arrival now completes the OATA team after a few staff changes this year and we have plenty to keep us all busy!”
Hobday added: “This will be a great opportunity to use my previous experience to become a voice for an industry that has been a part of my personal and working life for a long time now. I’m excited to work alongside a fantastic team of people and contribute towards the longevity of the trade.
“This is something very close to my heart because I’ve been a fish keeper since I was eight years old and, more recently, a reptile keeper.”
