Harding studied human relations and worked extensively in marketing and change management. She worked for the Sales House and Edgars brands from 1991 to 1998. She also ran her own successful consultancy for close to 15 years before joining Ocean Basket in 2012.
IntraFish: How did you begin working in the seafood industry?
Grace Harding: I met Fats Lazarides [founder of Ocean Basket] in 1998 and worked on a project with him then. He called me in 2012 and asked my to consult to Ocean Basket. I was in my own business then and had been so for nearly 15 years. After just four months I caught the Ocean Basket bug and have not left.
IF: What attracted you about the seafood industry?
GH: The untapped opportunities. So many people choose chicken or meat. All I see is opportunity to grow seafood as a protein of choice and Ocean Basket is the perfect environment for me to fulfill my own dreams. It’s a down to earth, tenacious and real brand – a true David in the world of Goliaths.
IF: What obstacles have you faced in your career a man might not have encountered?
GH: I don’t really think I have encountered obstacles because I am a woman. I believe that woman must stop winging about being women in business and just focus on delivering. We teach people how to treat us.
IF: Would you encourage other women to seek a career in this industry? Why?
GH: For sure. Seafood, just as women, is untapped in a big way. There are so many opportunities for us in this industry. Men have already taken the meat and chicken industries.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring female seafood executives?
GH: Stop obsessing about being a woman. Do your work. Deliver value. It’s the same in any industry. I do believe that women in some areas of the world (e.g. Saudi Arabia) do still not have a seat at the boardroom table. It will happen. I don’t believe that any woman will be rejected if she shows her worth, delivers and drives for results.
IF: How can the industry recruit more women into the sector?
GH: The seafood sector needs to share more stories and show what diverse opportunities there are for women. We need to show our faces at the key seafood events around the world. Do presentations, run workshops. Share stories.
I would love to be part of something like this. It’s the only way to gain momentum.
IF: Why are there so few women in executive roles in seafood?
GH: I am not sure. I guess many seafood type jobs are in buying or on the supply side and this has traditionally been a man’s world. Even Ocean Basket as a seafood specialized franchise business did not have many women in senior roles and this has changed since I got here three years ago.
We must start promoting the career opportunities at universities, run workshops with young women, play a bigger role at the seafood shows.
IF: If there were one thing you could change about the industry to make it a better place for women workers, what would it be?
GH: I am not sure. I believe that women need to prove their worth. It is not up to the men to allow us in or make it better. We must just get out there and deliver.
IF: What was the dumbest advice a man in the seafood industry has ever given you?
GH: I never got any dumb advice. I believe that any point of view must be heard. The dumb thing is when a person takes on advice which does not make sense.
