After 16 years, Alan Balfour, one of the three founders of Loch Duart Ltd, has decided to retire from the business. As Deputy Managing Director, Alan has supported the transition to the new executive team now running the company and the Board was aware of his intentions to step down once this had been successfully achieved.
Dr Andrew Barbour, Chairman, said, « Loch Duart would not be the business it is today without the influence, contribution and efforts of Alan Balfour – one of our founding directors. On behalf of the company and the Board, I would like to thank Alan for his contribution and wish him good health and much happiness for the future ».
The founders: Andy Bing, Alan Balfour, Nick Joy
The founding directors started the business on 27th August 1999 buying Loch Duart sites from the previous owners, J. Johnston & Sons Ltd. In the early years, Loch Duart produced around 1,800 tonnes per annum. The company has expanded, acquiring sites in the Outer Hebrides and Sutherland in addition to the original sites, and produces around 4,000 tonnes per annum, employing 85 people. The company has become a successful exporter into Europe, the USA and the Far East and high profile chefs in leading restaurants worldwide serve Loch Duart salmon by name on their menus.
Alan was Commercial Director of Loch Duart from 1999 to 2013 when management of the company’s accounts was handed on to Simon Maguire, Finance Director and latterly was acting Manging Director until the appointment of Alban Denton as Managing Director in April 2015. He was responsible for delivering many of the company’s accreditations, notably ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, Global GAP and Investors In People. Alan also fulfilled several roles within Scottish aquaculture – as Chairman of Scottish Quality Salmon, a member of the Code of Good Practice management group and as a Director of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.