Wetherby Whaler Director joins board of leading professional body
Tuesday 03rd October, 2017
Caroline Murphy, a director of the successful fish and chip chain Wetherby Whaler, has joined the board of leading industry professional body, National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF).
Caroline, who has been involved in every aspect of the fish and chip trade during her more than 30 years in the industry, joined the NFFF as a Regional Director at its 81st Annual General Meeting.
Formed in 1913, the NFFF works to protect and promote the interests of the 11,000 fish and chip businesses operating in the UK and also overseas. It aims to raise standards in the industry by promoting best practice and providing training to more than 300 trainees every year at the NFFF Training Academy in Meanwood, Leeds.
Caroline began her career at just 12-years-old, helping her father Phillip Murphy, co-founder of the Wetherby Whaler, to run their original shop in Tadcaster. She went on to study for an Economic and Accountancy Degree at Newcastle University, before returning to a fulltime position at the Wetherby Whaler.
Caroline has helped the Wetherby Whaler to grow from one shop in 1989 to become one of Yorkshire’s most recognised brands, operating five award-winning branches across the region, employing more than 240 staff.
NFFF membership provides fish and chip shop owners with a voice on a national level and a host of other benefits, including the latest news and support on health & safety legislation through to 24-hour tax and legal advice service. It also supports members’ professional and business development with regular networking events, best practice guidance, together with other industry-exclusive benefits.
Caroline Murphy, Director at Wetherby Whaler and Regional Director for the National Federation of Fish Friers, said: “I am delighted to have joined the NFFF’s board and look forward to working with my colleagues and other industry professionals to promote good quality fish and chips. I am well prepared for this role having spent most of my life working alongside my family at the Wetherby Whaler. I have chipped potatoes, fried, waited tables, headed up marketing and publicity, coordinated finance and dealt with human resource issues, so have a full and holistic understanding of the trade, from the ground up. I am passionate about developing the industry to ensure that fish and chips can continue to be a proudly British staple enjoyed by future generations. For me this means ensuring that we have younger people – and especially females - who are trained to the highest standards and have that same passion for the trade that I have had throughout my years in the industry. We are seeing more and more women taking up senior managerial roles throughout the industry and this needs to be properly represented at the top level of professional bodies and accreditors.”
Andrew Crook, National President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said: “We are pleased to welcome Caroline to our board of directors. She is certainly well qualified for the position and brings a great deal of experience and expertise, which will stand the organisation in good stead as we continue to promote the important role the NFFF plays in the Industry. The rest of the board and I look forward to working with her to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained at fish and chip shops across the UK and abroad.”
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