Industry is well represented in list of 50 most influential people in UK fishing

Industry figures make up an impressive list of the top 50 most influential people in UK fishing.

Compiled by Angling Times, the country’s top fishing magazine, the line-up of people involved directly in the trade includes:

47: Dan Bennet, a key creator of Shimano’s new Aero Pro range of poles – the brand’s first in a decade.

43: Aaron Grantham, Head of the Lindholme Lakes complex.

41: Chris Blunt, manager of the UK’s busiest carp fishery, Linear Fisheries.

38: Harry Charrington, Fox International Marketing Manager, who played a key role in the success of the England carp team, which was ranked number one in the world last year.

34: Jamie Cook, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust, who has played a major role in getting more youngsters fishing, fighting pollution and establishing the UK’s first recreational bluefin tuna fishery.

32: Tom Scholey, big player in helping to grow the UK match scene and has played a major role in the growth of the Fjuka bait brand.

30: Dave Preston, founder of Preston Innovations and the newly launched Fjuka brand.

29: Adam Rooney, the man behind one of the biggest tackle companies in the UK, Guru.

21: Steven Crowe, Angling Direct CEO, described as having a ‘monumental’ impact on fishing in the UK.

19: Will Raison, top match angler who works hard behind the scenes to help Daiwa create some of the best tackle on the market.

18: Mark Pitchers, of Fox International, runner-up in the National Angling Awards Carp Angler of the Year and regular on both his personal and Fox’s social media platforms.

16: Tom Pickering, one of match fishing’s true legends and the face of the newly launched Nytro brand.

15: Steve Ringer, instrumental in developing a lot of tackle for Guru in the last year.

4: Tom Dove (Product Development Director) and Neil Spooner (UK Sales Manager), at Korda, took over from Ali Hamid on the Monster Carp TV series, winner of the TV Show of the Year in the 2022 National Angling Awards.

3: Ali Hamidi, ‘truly a force of nature’ within the angling industry. Left Korda to launch his own company – One More Cast – with former Premier League footballer, Bobby Zamora.

1: Danny Fairbrass, over three decades after founding Korda, Fairbrass shows no signs slowing down and 2023 marked an amazing year for him and his brand, driving everything from innovative films, to fisheries, tackle development and charity work.