The chairman of the Angling Trades Association for the past year and a half, Andrew Race has been in the industry for 30 years and is also the owner and managing director of weighing scale manufacturer Reuben Heaton as well as the European distributor for Eagle Claw hooks.

A lifelong angler who fished in the England junior nationals, Andrew is also a shotgun licence holder with plenty of experience working dogs and on local shoots. He is also mad-keen on antique tackle.

He said: I have a list of goals that I would like to achieve for angling and the ATA, some specific and some more wide ranging. Access to fishing needs to be easier. Licensing, if it remains, must evolve to better suit purpose and, at the very least, be sold by retailers again. It is the most sensible, profitable option and licence sales could provide relevant data for the industry to use.

“The ATA should be uniting all sectors of the trade. I especially want sea angling and sea anglers better represented. The UK’s prolific inshore fisheries are a vital resource for the sport. Then there’s being involved in the national angling strategy, actively tackling issues such as lead, plastics, and predation. Leading the process for change not reacting to it is key to our survival and success.

“Since the start of my tenure, I have been building relationships with key partners and organisations in and around the angling trade. The Game Fair is one such organisation that has been part of the landscape for many years, playing a vital role in the promotion of rural hobbies and pastimes like fishing and shooting.

“The opportunity to work with angling consultant John Hunter and the team to broaden the angling-based offering at the event is a must for us. We have a role within the trade and angling itself and we can have an effect on both at this show.”