Neil Manchester, managing director of Scottish trout farmer Kames Fish Farming and former head of Hendrix Genetics, died at age 59.

“It is a huge shock to everyone at Kames, as we’re sure it is to all of you who have known and worked with Neil. He was a much-loved leader, colleague and friend, who has added so much to our business,” Kames Fish Farming said. “Most of all, he had an absolute passion for our values, our community and our staff. We will carry on his vision and honor his great investment and commitment to us all.”

Manchester began his fish farming career at Kames in 1985, before moving to Landcatch in 1998 and then Hendrix Genetics in 2011. As managing director of aquaculture at Hendrix Genetics, he has been instrumental in developing the company as a global leading player in the aquaculture breeding sector. He step down from Hendrix Genetics in 2021 and joined Kames Fish Farming in 2021 as managing director.