Marks and Spencer recognise Oban worker with prestigious national award

Nicole McAleer saw off competition from other leading food producers to scoop the prize, one of five awarded in celebration of the M&S supply chain in Scotland.

The Emerging Talent award, open to anyone aged 35 and under, champions those who are positive role models, making an exceptional contribution to their sector.

Nicole joined the salmon producer over four years ago as a trainee processing supervisor at South Shian near Oban before progressing to her current position and is believed to be one of only two women in the Scottish sector to perform such a role – the other also working within Scottish Sea Farms.

Originally from Omagh in Northern Ireland, Nicole said she didn’t know what a salmon farm was when she first moved to Oban.

Spending her first six months with Scottish Sea Farms learning the ropes out on the floor, she can now oversee the entire South Shian processing facility, which has the capacity to process up to 140 tonnes of salmon per single shift.

She said of her award: “Considering I had no fish background whatsoever – my dad is a chicken farmer – before working at Scottish Sea Farms, or of running a facility of any type, to be nominated by my boss, four years in, was a really good feeling.

“To then go on to win the category is further recognition that I’m doing something right. It’s like a big pat on the back.