Grimsby is known for its fishing heritage – but today, it’s also shaping the future of seafood.
Home to one of the largest seafood processing clusters in northern Europe, Grimsby sits at the heart of a £2 billion industry. More than 5,000 people work across over 50 seafood factories in the town, with a further 10,000 jobs supported through the wider supply chain.
To shine a light on the different opportunities here in North East Lincolnshire, Made Great in Grimsby (MGIG) has released a series of short films sharing the stories of local people working across the sector in North East Lincolnshire.
Sophie King – Kevin Stansfield Ltd
One of the biggest misconceptions about the seafood sector is that opportunities are limited or short‑term. Sophie King, now a Technical Manager at Kevin Stansfield, is keen to challenge that.
After starting as an apprentice on the factory floor, Sophie worked her way up to management by the age of 24.
“There’s a belief that you need specialist skills before you start – or that factory work isn’t for everyone,” she explains. “But there are so many routes in, and the pay and progression can be really good.”
Danny Payne – Grimsby Fish Market
At the centre of the industry is Grimsby Fish Market, where Danny Payne says no two days are the same. Working in one of the UK’s few remaining shout auctions, Danny describes the sector as “unpredictable”, with early mornings, fast decisions and a real sense of atmosphere.
“It’s enjoyable,” he says. “You feel like you’re part of what makes Grimsby great.”
Jacque Berridge – New England Seafood
For some, the seafood sector opens doors far beyond the Humber. At New England Seafood, Species Expert Jaque Berridge’s journey has taken him from filleting fish to leading on product development, finance and supplier relationships. His role now includes international travel, visiting countries such as Norway, Iceland and Alaska to work directly with suppliers.
“I’ve been on little shuttle planes flying from one factory to another. You get to see bears, moose. You get to see the wild salmon jumping up the rivers. It’s a whole wide world of different cultures and experiences,” said Jacque.
Despite the global travel, much of the work still centres on Grimsby, where brands are built, products are designed and campaigns are created for national and international markets.
Martina O’Connor, Northcoast Seafoods
Martina O’Connor manages food safety at Northcoast Seafoods, spending most of her time on the factory floor working closely with production teams and checking products as they’re made.
While some of her role is office‑based, Martina says the hands‑on work is the most rewarding. Having started her career cutting fish on the factory floor herself, she’s keen to encourage others not to be put off by first impressions.
She said: “There’s so much more to it than people realise. It’s not just cutting fish or putting it into a bag – there are technical, planning and commercial roles, with real chances to progress.”
Made Great in Grimsby is a seafood‑industry‑led partnership focused on celebrating what the area already does well, while raising awareness of career opportunities.
Working closely with businesses, schools and training providers, MGIG helps connect education with real local jobs, showing young people that they don’t have to leave the area to find skilled, well‑paid and fulfilling careers.
As part of the wider Seafood Grimsby & Humber Alliance, MGIG provides a shared voice for the sector and supports its long‑term success. It champions Grimsby not just as a historic fishing town, but as a forward‑looking centre of excellence for seafood.
The message from those working in the industry is clear: from the fish market to international boardrooms, the possibilities in Grimsby’s seafood sector are varied, modern and growing.
Visit Made Great in Grimsby to find out more about the opportunities in Grimsby’s seafood sector: https://www.madegreatingrimsby.co.uk/.
For general careers advice and support, contact North East Lincolnshire Council’s Adult Careers Team by emailing [email protected], calling 01472 323540, or visiting the Careers Café in Freshney Place. Adults aged 19 and over can also find information about local training providers and upcoming skills events at www.nelincs.gov.uk/adult-education-and-learning.
Young people can speak to the Young People’s Support Service (YPSS) team by calling 01472 326294 (option 1), emailing [email protected], or texting 07795 976032.
Share this article