Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon appoints new Director of Aquaculture Brian Blanchard

Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon appoints new Director of Aquaculture Brian Blanchard

9 October 2016, 12:53PM
Southern PR

Just a month after Mt Cook Alpine Salmon announced the purchase of Aoraki Smokehouse Salmon Ltd, the company is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Blanchard as Director of Aquaculture.
 
Mr Blanchard will be based in Twizel at the centre of the company’s operations.
 
This is a new role for the company and Mr Blanchard will be a member of the senior management team with responsibility for all its salmon farming operations including the company’s hatcheries.
 
His appointment is the culmination of a six month search across the globe to find the highest-calibre candidate with the requisite leadership skills, industry experience and cultural fit appropriate for the rapidly-growing company.
 
“Much of our salmon is produced for high-end export markets where customers expect us to perform and deliver to a set of global benchmarks,” said CEO David Cole.
 
“Having someone of Brian’s experience will be invaluable in helping us meet and exceed these expectations.”
 
Mr Blanchard, 50, holds a Masters degree in Science, majoring in Aquaculture, from the University of Hull, England, a Graduate Diploma in Aquaculture Technology from the Marine Institute of Newfoundland in Canada, a BSc in Biology from St Francis Xavier University and numerous alumni awards for his contribution to the aquaculture industry.
 
Mr Blanchard has relocated from Canada with his wife Sharon to take up the full time role.
 
“This is a spectacular opportunity to be involved with a company that has a clear strategy to produce the best salmon in the world and believe me, this really is the best salmon I have ever tasted,” said Mr Blanchard.
 
Although he has never worked in New Zealand before, Mr Blanchard has a strong affinity with New Zealand’s national sport – he was still playing front row club rugby and has been a coach of women’s rugby in Canada up until the time of his appointment.
 
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is the exclusive producer and exporter of Freshwater King Salmon. It employs more than 150 staff and operates its farms in the hydro canals of the McKenzie District at the foot of the Southern Alps. It has a modern purpose built processing plant in Timaru and a value added processing plant in Christchurch. The company sells its product into Australia, Dubai, Singapore, China, Japan and the US.
 
New Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Director of Aquaculture Brian Blanchard

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