UK’s leading aquaculture show sold to Diversified

THE UK’s biggest aquaculture exhibition, Aquaculture UK, has been bought by Diversified Communications, the events company behind the Brussels and Boston seafood shows.

Current owner, 5M Enterprises, said Aquaculture UK 2020 and the Aquaculture Awards 2020 will continue to be managed by the 5M team for the next event, in Aviemore from May 19-21.

‘The Aquaculture UK 2020 event will be the biggest and best show ever and the show will be delivered by staff who have run the event in previous years,’ said 5M.

‘Any arrangements already made for the 2020 event will be honoured in full. The new owners, Diversified Communications, share our vision and excitement about the Aquaculture UK series of events.’

This year’s edition of the biennial exhibition is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors.

The Scottish show will complement Diversified’s international events and publishing portfolio, which includes the annual Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global, which moves from Brussels to Barcelona next year; Seafood Expo North America, held in Boston in March; International Workboat Show; Ocean Business; Pacific Marine Expo; Seaweb Seafood Summit; and ‘National Fisherman’; ‘Seafood Source’; and ‘Fish eNews’.

Diversified UK’s managing director, Carsten Holm, said: ‘It’s great to be welcoming Aquaculture UK to Diversified Communications.

‘We have been watching the growing success of the event and believe that its focus and subject matter complements our, already substantial, international presence in the sector extremely well.

‘We also feel that the sense of community, customer focus, long-term vision and attention to detail, is very similar to how we approach our events.

‘I also have a personal interest, having spent my early years working on Fishing News and Fish Farming International, so I really look forward to getting involved again.

‘We have a great team here, who are looking forward to getting to know the sector, so it already feels like a perfect fit for our business and is an important development for Diversified’s UK division.’

James Banfield, managing director of 5M, said: ‘Aquaculture UK’s success reflects the increasing importance and rapid growth of our industry, not just in the UK but internationally.

‘We have tried to make sure the show matches the enthusiasm and innovation of our sector and that we continue to provide a forum for our industry’s vision, investment and focus.

‘We are delighted to hand over the reins to Diversified Communications.  They share our culture, work ethos and ways of doing things and have a deep understanding of the sector.

‘I am confident that the new management can provide the support and structure needed to continue to grow Aquaculture UK in the years to come.

‘It feels like the perfect home for the event, and a natural development that will ensure the show continues to fulfil its potential and role as the leading forum for the UK’s aquaculture industry.’

5M is part of the Knowledge Services division of Benchmark Holdings and was put up for sale last year, along with other ‘non-core businesses’, including the group’s veterinary service, the Fish Vet Group. The Knowledge Services division also includes the Fish Site and industry publications.