Five new faces join restructured ATA Board

The Angling Trades Association (ATA), the voice of the UK tackle industry, has restructured its Board as it prepares for a number of major projects, including National Fishing Month, Get Into Fishing and a presence at next month’s Game Fair.

Five new members were elected to the Board at this week’s AGM – Daryl Hodges, Head of Marketing at Dynamite Baits; Ian Latham, Managing Director of Shimano UK; Martin Green, Commercial Sales Manager, Daiwa UK; Ifor Jones, head of the Stillwater Fishing Association; and Ross Honey, Managing Director of Angling Spirit – with one further member yet to be confirmed.

The five new appointments join Andrew Race (Chairman), Managing Director of Reuben Heaton; John Henderson, Commercial Director, Pure Fishing Europe; Pat McInnes, Marketing Manager, Leeda; Steve Hopkinson, Sales Director, Tri-Cast; and Mel Bagnall, Consultant Editor, Angling International magazine.

Long-serving ATA Vice Chairman, Mike Heylin (right of picture), who is planning to retire this year, becomes an honorary Board member, along with former Daiwa UK Managing Director Robin Morley (left of picture), who has served on the Board for 22 years. Both will remain available to the ATA in an advisory capacity.

“These appointments put the ATA in a much stronger position to develop our current assets and to work for the benefit of the UK tackle trade,” said Race. “It is only a part of our plan to have a stronger, more influential organisation. There will be more announcements to come. If ever there was a time for this organisation it is now.”