Editorial Staff | Aquaculture Magazine
Source: Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) press release, 29 October 2026.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council presented its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Su Cox, Communications and Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland, recognizing more than 35 years in the UK seafood and aquaculture sector.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Su Cox, Communications and Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland. ASC CEO Chris Ninnes presented the award at the MSC & ASC UK Awards 2026, held at Fishmongers’ Hall in London on 28 October.
Figure 1. ASC CEO Chris Ninnes presents the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award to Su Cox at the 2026 MSC and ASC UK Awards. Source: Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
More than three decades in Scottish seafood
Cox entered the Scottish seafood sector in 1989, after working in culinary publishing and public relations. According to the ASC, her work has focused on the positioning and promotion of Scottish salmon in domestic and international markets, connecting farmers, retailers, foodservice professionals and consumers. For nearly two decades she has held a commercial and strategic role in the business now known as Bakkafrost Scotland.
Board roles and export development
From 2014 to 2022, Cox served as a Board Director and later Vice Chair of Scotland Food & Drink. She has also held directorships with Salmon Scotland and Collaborative Export Solutions Limited, and supported the development of new international markets for Scottish salmon, including India. She currently holds roles with Scottish Quality Salmon (SQS) and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre.
| Period | Role (as reported by the ASC) |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Joins the Scottish seafood sector |
| Nearly two decades | Commercial and strategic role at the business now known as Bakkafrost Scotland |
| 2014–2022 | Board Director and later Vice Chair, Scotland Food & Drink |
| Other directorships | Salmon Scotland; Collaborative Export Solutions Limited |
| Current | Roles with Scottish Quality Salmon (SQS) and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre |
Table 1. Career milestones cited by the ASC. Prepared by Aquaculture Magazine with information from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
The ASC cited both Cox’s contribution to the international positioning of Scottish salmon and her role as a senior woman in the sector since 1989.
“Su has made an extraordinary contribution to Scottish aquaculture over more than three decades,” Ninnes said. He added that Cox “has been a trailblazer for women in an industry that looked very different when she began her career in 1989.”
“Scottish salmon is one of Scotland’s greatest food success stories, and I am proud to have played a small part in helping build its reputation around the world,” Cox said.
Frequently asked questions
Who received the 2026 ASC Lifetime Achievement Award?
Su Cox, Communications and Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland.
Where was the award presented?
At the MSC & ASC UK Awards 2026, held at Fishmongers’ Hall in London on 28 October 2026. It was presented by ASC CEO Chris Ninnes.
What contribution does the award recognize?
According to the ASC, more than 35 years of leadership and contribution to the UK seafood and aquaculture sector, including the international positioning of Scottish salmon.
Sources and Methodology
Content type: news item prepared by the Aquaculture Magazine editorial staff with information from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. This is not sponsored content.
Source: ASC, “Scottish Aquaculture Trailblazer Su Cox Honoured With ASC Lifetime Achievement Award” (29 October 2026).
