Hannah Bloomer and Lillee May were named winners of the Welfare Excellence Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards, presented at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.
The award recognises outstanding commitment to animal welfare in the M&S supply chain, and Hannah and Lillee were honoured for their pioneering work leading Scottish Sea Farms’ dedicated plankton and jellyfish monitoring laboratory in Lerwick.
In the same week, the team also won the Animal Health and Welfare Award at Aquaculture UK in Glasgow for their critical role in protecting fish health and welfare.
Using specialist imaging technology, they analyse daily samples from Shetland salmon farms, enabling the rapid identification of plankton and jellyfish activity that could pose a risk to fish health, allowing farms to take preventative action early.
The Lerwick laboratory has also developed a traffic-light risk system that helps guide farm teams on mitigation measures such as feeding adjustments during bloom events, helping reduce fish stress and minimise gill damage.
Peter Kennedy, Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at M&S, said: ‘Hannah and Lillee’s work is an excellent example of how innovation and science can directly improve animal welfare. Their monitoring programme is helping Scottish Sea Farms respond quickly to environmental challenges and protect fish health at every stage. Their dedication, expertise and collaborative approach make them very deserving winners of this year’s Welfare Excellence Award.’
Hannah and Lillee said: ‘Fish health and welfare is at the centre of everything we do and it’s rewarding to see how the monitoring work can make a real difference on farm. The team works incredibly hard behind the scenes, and these awards reflect that collective effort.’
Rising Star
Also singled out at the Aquaculture Awards in Glasgow, Scottish Sea Farms Talent Development Business Partner Irene Pozo was named a Rising Star for her role in developing the sector’s future workforce.
In just four years in the sector, she has become instrumental in creating opportunities for the next generation and raising awareness of aquaculture within local communities.
From engaging with schools, colleges and universities, to developing leadership and management training programmes that support staff development across the company, she actively promotes aquaculture as a modern and rewarding career.
In particular, she helped devise and now delivers the Into Aquaculture course at Oban High School, which is entering its third year and continues to strengthen links between education and industry.
Irene, one of two Rising Stars named, alongside Sam Laurenson of Blueshell Mussels, said: ‘I’m thrilled to win this award, especially with such an impressive line-up, and want to thank my colleagues at Scottish Sea Farms for their support and for giving me a free rein to pursue my outreach projects.
‘Developing future talent is so rewarding in itself and being recognised for doing a job I love is a moment I will treasure.’
To crown a memorable week for Scottish Sea Farms, the coveted Farmer of the Year accolade at the Aquaculture Awards went to Holms Geo Farm Manager John Henderson, hailed for his leadership in transforming his farm into a model of strong husbandry, teamwork and proactive fish health management.
John said: ‘This is award is for the whole team at Holms Geo and I’m delighted to collect it on their behalf.
‘Together, I think we have made a real improvement to how the farm has performed and also, by example, helped to strengthen farming practices and team capability across the wider business.’
Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher said: ‘Our award winners are all shining examples of the exceptional calibre of people who work at Scottish Sea Farms.
‘Individually and as part of their wider teams, they exemplify our commitment not just to producing top-quality salmon but to making a difference in the communities where we farm. We couldn’t be prouder of you all.’