Former sales and general manager Craig English was promoted to managing director in March 2022, meaning a position opened within Collins to take on his previous role. Craig spoke to Toni Pagnanelli, a close contact in the seafood industry, to ask him if he would be interested in joining the team, and Toni was delighted to take up the opportunity.
Toni started working at Collins in March, and having worked in the seafood industry for 26 years, his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed. Toni has immersed himself in all aspects of the company, including taking trips to our parent company Seagold’s office in Hull and going out to assist the delivery drivers, learning what their average day entails.
In April, Toni visited the Port of Hull and explored the inside of the Kirkella, gaining new insight about the process of Frozen at Sea fishing. His knowledge was enhanced when the fishermen told him about their daily routines on the vessel and some facts about the technical aspects of the impressive factory trawler.
Toni has settled in well in the office – on the morning of Good Friday he hid Easter eggs in every room in the building for staff to find. Spirits were high as the team members were rewarded with chocolate when they were successful in the hunt and the joy continued the week after when we continued to find the treats that we missed!
In his spare time, Toni enjoys spending time with family, walking his dog Blue, going to the gym and watching Middlesbrough Football Club with his 12 year old son, Luca. We asked Toni where his favourite place is in the North East:
“It’s got to be Whitby, my parents took me there when I was growing up and I’ve continued to take my family.”
When Toni is ordering from the fish and chip shop by the sea at Whitby, he orders a classic meal of fish and chips, or occasionally a fish patty and chips, does he go for curry over gravy?
“Curry all the way!”
We asked Toni if he has any plans for his future with Collins:
“To continue achieving the goals and successes the team at Collins have accomplished over the years.”
Toni describes himself as enthusiastic, adaptable and happy – and the Collins team agree! We’re thrilled to say Toni has truly hit the ground running and we can’t wait to see how he’ll help Collins to develop its services.
