The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has confirmed five new directors to its board following the body’s Annual General Meeting earlier this month.
Ben Bowles of Pets at Home, Paul Hughes of Advanced Aquarium Consulting, Phil Jones of Kingston Koi Company, Max Pedley of Ornamental Aquatics Wholesale, and Maurits van de Pol of Aquadistri UK will all now attend board meetings, which take place four times a year.
The meeting also marked the official start of EcoMarines’ Laura Carlin two-year stint as chair while Dr Donna Snellgrove of Mars Petcare takes on the incoming vice chair mantle. OATA also said goodbye to Ian Paton of Pets at Home and Pete Carey of CASCO ,who resigned prior to the AGM following changes of roles.
OATA chief executive Dominic Whitmee said: “It’s great to welcome new people to the Board and we look forward to hearing their perspectives in our discussions. We are incredibly lucky to have people who volunteer their time to help OATA and stay with us for a long time. Their hard work and commitment are much appreciated by the staff team.”
OATA’s board of directors is currently made up of 17 people who represent the whole of the industry, including retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and importers. The board normally comprises 18 people, so the organisation is looking for an additional director to fill the vacancy.
The complete OATA Board of Directors is listed below:
Ben Bowles, Pets at Home
Laura Carlin, EcoMarines
Robert Edgecock, Independent Aquatic Imports Ltd
Caroline Everett, Anglo Aquatic Plants Co Ltd
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
Pete Smith, Aquasense (UK) Ltd
Dr Donna Snellgrove, Mars Petcare
Matt Stevenson, Seneye
Maurits van de Pol, Aquadistri UK Ltd
Ben Windeatt, Pets Choice
