Meet Sarah Riddle, Managing Director of Northern Light Consulting, who leads the team and drives the strategic direction and continued growth of the business.
Sarah Riddle brings extensive experience across aquaculture, seafood, business development, innovation and leadership. Growing up as a farmer’s daughter in the north-east of Scotland, Sarah developed an early understanding of farming, animal welfare and the importance of looking after the environment you operate in. That background made a career in aquaculture a natural progression.
As part of our Meet the Team series, we caught up with Sarah to talk about her career, the future of aquaculture and the blue economy, innovation, leadership and what keeps her busy outside work.
What excites you most about the future of aquaculture and the blue economy?
The ability to make a positive contribution to a young, progressive industry that produces healthy, high-quality food in a highly efficient way.
I also really value that there is always something new to learn, not just within aquaculture, but through increasingly joined-up working with other sectors across the blue economy. It is a truly international sector, with a real willingness to share knowledge, learn from one another and work together to keep evolving, innovating and advancing.
Growing up as a farmer’s daughter in the north-east of Scotland, I have always appreciated the importance of farming. That made the move into aquaculture a natural one for me all those years ago. At its heart, it is about looking after your animals and the environment you operate in.
What is the biggest opportunity currently facing the sector?
The biggest opportunity is sustainable growth: continuing to learn how to farm successfully in new locations and in new ways, while taking a broader, multi-trophic approach rather than looking at each species in isolation.
By combining innovation with a more joined-up view of our marine environment, the sector has a real opportunity to produce more healthy, high-quality food responsibly.
What has changed most during your career in the industry?
The pace of change has been remarkable.
Technology has transformed how we farm, monitor and understand our fish, while advances in nutrition have changed how we support their health, welfare and performance.
There is also far greater collaboration across the sector and with academia, technology providers and other industries, allowing us to share knowledge and solve challenges together.
At the same time, our fish are being farmed in an increasingly changing environment, so our understanding of biology, environmental conditions and how we adapt our farming practices has had to evolve just as quickly.
What has been the most rewarding project you've worked on and why?
One of the most rewarding was, while I was with SSF, the development and launch of Lochmuir, the unique differentiated salmon product for M&S.
It was a first-of-its-kind approach with a premium retailer, working collaboratively across the entire value chain to define everything from feed and farming regimes through to the finished product.
What makes it particularly rewarding is its longevity. The product remains today, and the partnership has continued to innovate and look forward.
What motivates you most in your roles today?
Opportunity and a genuine interest in the sector.
I see first-hand the value aquaculture brings to the remote Highlands, the place I choose to live, through skilled employment, investment and support for communities.
What motivates me is the opportunity to build on that contribution by helping people develop and upskill, supporting innovation and sustainable growth, and producing high-quality food.
There is real potential for the sector to create lasting benefits for people and communities, and being able to play a part in that is hugely motivating.
What advice would you give to a business looking to innovate?
Explore the opportunity thoroughly and make good use of your network. There is enormous value in drawing on different experiences and perspectives.
Take the time to consider the challenge from every angle, test the options and question assumptions before deciding on the best route forward.
Innovation is rarely a straight path, so be prepared to adapt, learn as you go and, above all, keep going.
What do you enjoy most about leading Northern Light Consulting and SAIC?
The people, and the opportunity to make a real difference.
I enjoy bringing people together, understanding where we can add value and turning opportunities into meaningful impact.
Ultimately, I value the accountability that comes with leadership: taking responsibility for what we set out to achieve and making sure we deliver.
Outside of work, how do you spend your time?
That is quite a question!
I’m part of a very energetic family, so there is rarely a quiet moment. I manage the newly formed Fort William Women’s Football Team and enjoy plenty of sport myself, particularly running and fitness classes, many of which our daughter now instructs!
Music is another big part of life, with Belladrum firmly in the annual calendar with friends and family. And when things are a little quieter, I’m happiest out walking the dog.