OATA has welcomed two new directors to its board, with the appointments unveiled at the trade association’s Annual General Meeting which was held on 24 November. 

Dr Sean Evans of Wharf Aquatics and Rob Peck of The Coral Centre were voted onto the board after several vacancies were created when a number of board members stepped down. 

Kevin Barton of ALF, Dr David Pool of Fish Science, Kevin Rose of Lynchford Aquatics and Simon Strode of Tetra have all stepped down from the board.

Matt Stevensen of Seneye will continue as chair and Pete Carey has taken on the role of incoming vice chair, after the board agreed a change to OATA’s Memorandum of Articles that will enable the two positions to be held for longer than two years. 

OATA CEO Dominic Whitmee said: “It’s great to welcome new people to the board and we look forward to hearing their perspectives to our discussions. We are also very thankful to Kevin Barton, Dave Pool, Kevin Rose and Simon Strode for all the input they have given to OATA over the years. 

“We are incredibly lucky to have people who volunteer their time to help OATA and stay with us for a long time. Their hard work and commitment are much appreciated by the staff team.” 

OATA’s board of directors is currently made up of 16 people who represent the whole of the industry, from wholesalers and manufacturers to importers, pond and aquarium consultants and retailers. There are still two vacancies for the board, which is usually made up of 18 people.