Jun 20, 2022

Syngenta announces leadership changes

Syngenta Group has announced succession plans for its leadership team.

Jeff Rowe, currently president of Global Seeds, will take over the leadership of Syngenta Crop Protection, effective July 1. His former role will be assumed by Justin Wolfe, regional director of North America Seeds. As members of the group leadership team, the two will report to CEO Erik Fyrwald. Rowe will relocate to Basel, Switzerland; Wolfe will remain based in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Jon Parr, president of Global Crop Protection, plans to retire on Sept. 30, after a 35-year tenure at the company, the last seven years as head of the global crop protection business.

“I would like to thank Jon for his many achievements, steering the business and the team successfully through the pandemic and unprecedented supply chain challenges,” Syngenta Group CEO Erik Fyrwald said in a news release. “During Jon’s tenure, Syngenta Crop Protection has grown back into the global market leader and has become a leader in biologicals and innovation.

“At the same time, I am excited to have Jeff and Justin taking on their important new roles, building on our momentum to drive further growth of the Crop Protection and Seeds businesses and advancing our commitment to regenerative agriculture,” Fyrwald said in the release.

Rowe was instrumental for the successful turnaround of the Seeds business, with outstanding growth and return to profitability. Most recently, he spearheaded Syngenta Group’s efforts into regenerative agriculture and soil health. Prior to joining Syngenta in 2016, Rowe served in several leadership roles at DuPont Pioneer over a 20-year period. He has nearly 30 years’ diverse experience as an agriculture leader.

Wolfe’s leadership and focus on strong commercial execution were key to significant business growth and market share gains in North America. He joined Syngenta in 2018 as regional director EAME Seeds, where he successfully led the creation of the specialized Seeds business. Prior to joining Syngenta, Wolfe had a strong track record with Monsanto over 20 years, with roles in operations, strategy and sales and marketing, including vice president, Europe and Middle East Commercial Operations.

With increasing ambitions for Syngenta Group’s Vegetable Seeds and Flowers business, Matthew Johnston will continue in his current global role as head of Vegetable Seeds and Flowers, now reporting directly to Fyrwald, starting July 1.

Under Parr’s leadership in the past seven years, the Syngenta Crop Protection business grew 50%. He joined Syngenta Group and its predecessor companies in January 1987. Prior to his current role, Parr was chief operating officer EAME & Latin America from 2015 to 2016. Before that, he was head of Global Crops & Assets for Syngenta from 2014, regional director for EAME from 2009 to 2013 and head of Syngenta Flowers from 2007 to 2008. Through his long career at Syngenta Group, Parr has had other roles across marketing, strategy and manufacturing.