New Icelandic Ambassador vows to build on strong relationship with Grimsby's seafood sector in first visit to the Humber

Andrew Oliver, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Dock Group, left, with the Icelandic Ambassador to the UK, Thordis Kolbrun Gylfadottir, GFDG chair Simon Dwyer and Honorary Icelandic Consul, Jonathan Goolden.

THORDIS Kolbrun Gylfadottir has made the Humber one of her first visits, taking in both Grimsby and Hull, just weeks into the official role.

Key officials underlined the importance of trade relations between the two nations. Iceland supplies more than 90 per cent of the fish sold on Grimsby Fish Market, with its haddock and cod a mainstay of British menus.

Prior to taking up the role, the Ambassador served as Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs between 2021 and 2025. She resigned her seat to take on the diplomatic position.

During her visit, Mrs Gylfadottir, a lawyer by profession, toured the market and visited businesses Mariner Foods Trading Ltd and Alfred Enderby Ltd, where lunch was provided. She was also briefed on the wider Humber seafood cluster and the process behind traditionally smoked Icelandic haddock that brought Grimsby its protected geographical status.

Andrew Oliver, chair of market operator GFDG, said: "We were delighted to welcome the new Icelandic Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Our relations with Iceland are vital, so much of our fish comes from Iceland and we're determined to maintain our excellent links with officials and businesses there. We underlined how Grimsby is the gateway to the UK consumer market, whether you eat your fish from Sainsbury's or a seaside chippie."

The party included GFDG chair and UK Seafood Federation chief executive Simon Dwyer, GFDG operations director Danny Payne; Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Marian Boyd; honorary consuls for both Grimsby and Hull, Jonathan Goolden and Dominic Ward; Alexandra Vilbergsdottir, a lawyer and member of local Icelandic community; industry figures with Icelandic interests including Orri Gustafsson (Seagold/Samherji) and Mike Lane (Eimskip), as well as Carolina Borgstrom, director of economy, environment and infrastructure at North East Lincolnshire Council.

Mrs Gylfadottir succeeds Sturla Sigurjonsson after almost six years in post, and it comes days after Icelanders narrowly voted against resuming negotiations to join the EU, with control over fisheries highlighted as a key reason. It is seen as a positive for continued supply into Grimsby by the industry.

"I'm very happy we were able to organise this early on, it was high on my checklist to come here," she said, having grown up in and represented a strong fishing constituency in Iceland. "I want to both build on what we already have, and what works, and make sure that I am here to serve the industries of Iceland and their relations in the UK."

Underlining the importance of strong allies in times of global uncertainty, she continued: "Fisheries is highest on the list in terms of historical relations and interests, for both sides. It has been a very informative visit. I didn't realise there were 5,500 direct jobs, and 10,000 in the supply chain here in seafood, that's quite a lot in an area that is not London.

"Thank you for a warm welcome, It is my first visit, but absolutely not my last one."

More personnel changes looming in UK – Iceland relations

The Icelandic Ambassador's visit comes ahead of Iceland officially approving its new British Ambassador, Jane Stevens, who toured Grimsby Fish Market back in June. Jonathan Goolden – a solicitor with Wilkin Chapman Rollits - has also announced he is stepping down as honorary  Icelandic Consul for the Grimsby area, having served for eight years.

He said: "It’s been a fascinating post to hold, involving all sorts of activities from hosting visits by four ambassadors, trade envoys and other VIPs to eating a lot of delicious Icelandic fish and helping various Icelandic visitors and residents with emergency passports, voting and navigating Brexit. I have enjoyed every minute but it’s time to hand on to a successor. Takk fyrr and sjaumst! (Thank you and see you later)"

His efforts were recognised by Simon Dwyer, chair of Grimsby Fish Dock Group and chief executive of the UK Seafood Federation, with the presentation of Made Great in Grimsby branded merchandise, with the Ambassador also a grateful recipient.

In Hull, the Ambassador visited the recently reopened Hull Maritime Museum and the Arctic Corsair, the city's sole survivor of its distant water sidewinding fishing fleet at its dry dock berth in North End Shipyard.