Veronica Papacosta named CEO of Seafood Industry Australia

Months after Jane Lovell resigned as its inaugural chief executive officer, Seafood Industry Australia has named Veronica Papacosta to replace her. 

In April 2020, Lovell moved on to become the CEO of Melbourne, Australia-based Organic Systems and Solutions, a private company working on development and certification of organic products. Papacosta has filled in as SIA CEO in an interim manner since that time, according to SIA Acting Chair Chauncey Hammond said.

“After an extensive process the SIA recruitment committee, with the assistance of an external recruitment firm, unanimously recommended the appointment of Ms. Papacosta as the CEO, and the board unanimously accepted this recommendation,” Hammond said. “Papacosta has been acting in this role since early April and has done an outstanding job. The board looks forward to continuing to harness her passion and expertise to take SIA to a new level over the next few years.”

Hammond said as interim CEO, Papacosta landed a AUD 4 million [USD 2.9 millioin, EUR 2.4 million] federal grant for the Eat Seafood Australia marketing campaign, worked on a national mental health pilot program, and advanced strategic partnerships and government engagement.

“I have been a longstanding member of the Australian seafood industry, being a third-generation seafood retailer. I believe this understanding and connection reinforces my commitment and drive to improve outcomes for the other families and businesses that make up our great industry,” Papacosta said. “I will continue SIA’s good work to promote, protect, and develop the interests of the Australian seafood industry. I will continue to improve communications and collaborations within the industry, and also with governments, regulators, along with other sectors and industries. The long-term sustainability and success of SIA and SIA members is my primary goal.”

Seafood Industry Australia was launched in 2017 to advocate for Australia’s seafood industry – aiming to exert more influence on government decisions, to act as a national industry voice, to be a marketing and communications hub, and to remove obstacles to sustainable growth of the seafood industry, Papacosta said at the time, when she served as chair of the new organization’s board of directors.

Australia’s seafood industry has struggled to adapt to the massive changes foisted upon it by the coronavirus pandemic, Seafood Industry Australia successfully sought out government assistance to help the industry through the crisis, which practically wiped out exports to its main market of China.

Photo courtesy of Seafood Industry Australia 

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