Case study - CJ Jackson, Billingsgate Seafood School

CJ - her actual name is a closely guarded secret - was brought
up on a largely self-sufficient farm, and family holidays
meant fishing trips to Scotland and hours spent on the River
Findhorn waiting for 'the boys' to catch trout and salmon. "I
remember gutting and cooking my first salmon at 8, and a passion
for cooking fish and shellfish developed from there."
CJ trained as a chef, and went onto teach and travel the globe,
before joining the staff at the prestigious Leith's School of Food
and Wine in 1989. "Each teacher was encouraged to have a
'specialist' subject and mine automatically became fish and
seafood, so I put a proposal forward to co-author the Leith's Fish
Bible". In 1995, CJ became the vice-principals of Leith's, before
moving onto product development for M&S, and further cookery
writing.
Whilst her love of seafood started early, CJ didn't enter the
seafood industry until 2005 when she became CEO of the Billingsgate
Seafood School, part of Billingsgate Seafood Market and the largest
inland fish market in the UK. The market is predominantly staffed
by male merchants, with a handful of women working as sales people
and businesses. "When I first arrived many of the merchants were
very dismissive of me - although not overly rude."
"When I asked where product came from, the merchants favourite
line was 'from the seaside' - and some wouldn't speak to me at
all."
CJ persevered, and resolved to get out onto the market as much as
possible to prove her knowledge. "I don't have a sales or buying
back ground - but I have a very extensive knowledge of the product
and that was accepted". It still took her around 2 - 3 years to
gain respect, much of which came from her visible success with
developing the Seafood School, and in bringing in visitors to the
market floor. "I now have some very close and valuable friendships
down there and I consider myself as 'one of the boys'!"
Her career has not been without its challenges however - the
recession has bought many changes to the way merchants do business.
"When I first arrived there were very few merchants that were keen
to break boxes and sell smaller quantities - many now see Saturday
as the 'public day' and sell accordingly."
For CJ however, it's easy to keep herself motivated in the face of
adversity. "There is always a new group of people wanting to learn
about the market and although we show similar things daily - it is
usually to a new appreciative audience. In my role I love market
mornings - even after 10 years at the school."
"I am still thrilled by a box of 'stiff alive' fish - mackerel,
sprats, tilapia, etc. I also enjoy being around people who
also love seeing fresh product that show cases our industry. There
are very few environments where you can turn up at 5.30 in the
morning and be greeted warmly by lots of people and offered a cup
of tea - it is like a town at the market - everyone knows everyone
else and it's a close knit community."
We asked CJ some questions about women in the seafood industry,
and her experiences throughout her career.
- Do you know of any other women who work in a similar role to
you? Do you think there is a reason for this?
There aren't many seafood schools around - although Roberta Muir principal of the Sydney Seafood School at Sydney market is a close friend. There aren't many women here - and this is partly to do with the hours the market operates (not conducive to family life!) Although I do spend much time promoting and planning in the office - I also have to roll up my sleeves and take part in lots of areas of the school - which is very manual - and I think that may challenge some women. I deliver many courses at the school and teach cutting and cooking fish. There are quite a few successful women fishmongers running businesses around the UK. - Did you ever have any doubts or fears about entering this
industry? Do you feel it is an industry that is adaptable and open
to change?
Privately - I was concerned about working in such a male dominated environment - but I wouldn't change that for the world now. I think some areas may be slow to adapt and change. There is still some resistance to women working in the industry - and certainly I have found some poor attitudes to women - some would still consider it unlucky to have a woman on board a fishing vessel as an example. - What are the biggest challenges of working in the seafood
industry from a personal and professional point of view?
As a woman and a mum - the hours have been challenging, but I have worked a way forward with my husband and we share responsibility for our son - who is partially disabled. I am the key breadwinner in our house.
From a professional point of view - it still can be challenging being a woman, but I have learnt how to deal with this - certainly at Billingsgate, but I still have to stay one step ahead. - What advice would you have for women who were thinking of a
career in this industry?
Be able to embrace all the challenges that arise daily. Know or learn how to work alongside men. I like working with men - they are usually much less complicated, never take offence and work hard to gain respect. - In reference to the furore surrounding the term 'fishermen' -
do you think we need a gender-neutral term for fishermen?
Well - it depends how many women are actually on board a boat. I am proud to be a 'liveryman' at fishmonger's company -although I call myself a 'lady fishmonger' - the term liveryman still stands. I don't have any issues about the term fisherman - It should be gender neutral and 'man' is the nearest thing we've had to neutral.
Author and CEO of Billingsgate Seafood School