David Flear elected vice chair of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd

FAMILIAR NAME: David Flear is to become vice chair of the organisation his father, Frank, was the first to lead.

GRIMSBY Fish Dock Enterprises has appointed a vice chair.

David Flear will take on the role, as predecessor Simon Dwyer is about to become chair. The moves follow Andrew Oliver’s appointment as chief executive, with the highly regarded maritime lawyer having led the board for the past four years.

Mr Flear is the son of Frank Flear OBE, a Grimsby seafood pioneer who played a major role in steering the development of Grimsby Fish Market in the early Nineties as the original chair of GFDE.

“I represent continuity and complete impartiality,” Mr Flear said of his appointment. “Everyone of us on the board has the company’s best interests at heart, but as a private individual with no other involvements or conflicting interests, I am purely there for GFDE.

“I remember coming on the fish docks as a very young boy, it was very much part of my life when I was growing up. I worked in the industry, for my father’s company, Bluecrest, for 10 to 12 years, and at Seachill for a time. And after a long time away it was surreal to return and become involved again.”

Following his father’s passing in 2019, it was decided between him and his sister that he would take over the shareholding, having been involved with family interests over recent years.

“I’ve bought fish on the market, I’ve been to Iceland and Scotland, seen other ports and markets – I've got a rounded understanding of the business and I’m here living in the area,” he said. “I look forward to playing my part.”

Frank Flear joined Ross Group as a buyer in 1951, having studied at Brigg Grammar School. He went on to found Bluecrest and later Seachill, which became fish processing giants (now part of Young’s and Hilton) helping to soften the blow of the demise of the middle-distance fleet in the hometown he held so dear.

Described as an enigmatic entrepreneur, of the like we may never see again, he expanded the legacy of the town’s fishing industry, creating processing operations that continue to thrive today.

A Worshipful Fellow of the Company of Fishmongers and Freeman of the City of London, Mr Flear also served as High Sheriff of Humberside in 1995, prior to the county being disbanded. He went on to become a deputy lieutenant of Lincolnshire, and received the OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.