«Seafood has an amazing opportunity as the most globally traded protein. But it has a reputation problem the industry needs to address through innovation and ethical practices
Dave Parker, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Sainsbury's.
Unlocking seafood's sustainable potential
The seafood industry stands at an inflection point, with opportunities for sustainable growth colliding against public scrutiny and ecological constraints.
NHH Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management
EMBA in Seafood Management
The specialisation consists of:
Module 1: The seafood industry in a global context: Economics, markets and sustainability
Module 2: Innovation and technology
Module 3: Strategic analysis and sustainable business models
Module 4: Management control and marketing
Module 5: Leadership and international management
Module 6: Finance and accounting
NHH Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management mints the vanguard leaders capable of pioneering this sector's ethical, technology-driven renaissance.
«Seafood has an amazing opportunity as the most globally traded protein. But it has a reputation problem the industry needs to address through innovation and ethical practices,» says Dave Parker, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Sainsbury's.
Need for sustainable practices
As the world's population swells towards an expected 9-10 billion by 2050, supplying enough sustainable protein presents an unprecedented challenge. The UN estimates we'll need six times more protein to meet accelerating demand.
«Seafood provides phenomenal health and ecological benefits compared to land-based proteins. But we must regain society's trust through ethical transparency, environmental stewardship, and enforceable sustainable practices across our supply chains.»
Parker, who oversees sourcing for Sainsbury's, one of the UK's largest retailers, recognizes the vital yet complex role the seafood industry must play in solving this looming food crisis.
«My job at Sainsbury's is to make sure that the seafood we buy from around the world is sustainably sourced and that we have security of supply.»
To maximize his impact driving ethical practices from within the seafood sector, Parker pursued NHH's Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management. This unique degree combines comprehensive business training with an immersive dive into aquaculture's specific industry dynamics, opportunities, and constraints.
Disruptive challenges
Parker's varied background – from marine biology and NGO environmental activism to seafood processing and now retail operations – underscores the multidisciplinary capabilities modern industry leaders require. He was drawn to NHHE's seafood program to build well-rounded management and strategic prowess.
«I've always been interested in business, but a general MBA felt too removed from aquaculture's nuances and societal implications. This specialized curriculum made learnings more applicable, contextual, and enriching.»
Midway through, Parker already sees immense value in marrying strategic business acumen with deep industry insights from guest experts and real-world case studies. His international cohort's diverse modules and peer learning have expanded his perspectives on complex issues like sustainable sourcing for novel aquaculture feed ingredients.
«The connections with classmates in different roles have been eye-opening. Their experiences bridging aquaculture's full value chain – from farmers and logistics to investment and regulations – provide vital context I can apply to my work driving more ethical procurement.»
Parker believes this cross-pollination of ideas across the seafood ecosystem will be crucial for developing holistic, sustainable practices. Integrative leadership skills are essential for many competing interests from environmental, social, and economic stakeholders.
Navigating technological evolution
Looking ahead, Parker believes rapid technological advances – from novel production methods and feed innovations to supply chain digitization and e-commerce – will fundamentally disrupt longstanding industry practices. He credits NHHE's future-focused curriculum for developing adaptable strategic decision-making skills.
«We're exploring the revolutionary implications of how innovation, digitalization, big data, and globalized competition reshape the competitive landscape. I must include these high-level strategic lenses in my background.»
However, Parker recognizes sustainable industry growth hinges on much more than optimizing commercial operations and bottom lines. Tackling deeply rooted negative public perceptions around environmental impact, labor rights, and corporate social responsibility requires comprehensive stakeholder engagement capabilities.
Empowering the changemakers
NHH Executive's multidisciplinary leadership training ensures Parker and his peers can catalyze shifts in both organizational cultures and external stakeholder narratives.
«Our EMBA provides professionals with high-impact leadership tools tailored precisely to the seafood sector's challenges and opportunities around sustainability, technology, globalization, new regulations, and more,» explains NHH Executives Program Director Steffen Juranek.
«We shape holistic management capabilities able to navigate this industry's transformation.»
Juranek highlights how NHHE's tailored curriculum fosters complete management professionals who can unpack aquaculture's competing tensions and leverage its sustainable advantages for responsible industry growth.
«Our graduates merge technical depth, financial acumen, and moral clarity to become pioneers – driving innovation, globalization, digitalization, and environmental leadership as multidimensional opportunities rather than existential challenges.»
«Been invaluable»
NHHE's seafood program amplifies positive impact across the international seafood sector by equipping seasoned leaders with vital skills.
«We're providing a compelling return on investment for companies by shaping professionals who can propel ethical industry transformation in the face of immense disruption and escalating stakeholder pressures,» says Juranek.
The MBA's tailored curriculum, bridging advanced strategic capabilities with nuanced contextual seafood insights, empowers each graduating class as catalysts for ethical, sustainable transformation.
«NHH developed the Executive MBA with a specialisation in Seafood Management in response to a request from the seafood industry through the NCE Seafood Innovation Cluster. The program is tailor-made to tackle the seafood industry's challenges in developing sustainable, innovative businesses for future growth,» says Kristin Arefjord Stave, Head of Custom Programs and Communications and Marketing at NHH Executive.
Parker wholeheartedly recommends the program, believing it will elevate Sainsbury's leadership in promoting sustainable seafood practices and consumer education.
«For anyone in this industry, the learning, global peer network, and specialized focus have been invaluable in expanding my multidimensional impact as a moral leader. I can drive ethical commitments and sustainable growth models in powerful unison.»