Jean-Christophe Filippi will replace Douwe Zijp as chief executive on 1 April
East-West Seed has announced that Douwe Zijp will step down as CEO on 1 April 2023, to be succeeded by Jean-Christophe (JC) Filippi.
“Under Douwe’s leadership our new corporate strategy was launched, and our governance structure and company culture were strengthened,” explained Ard Groot, chairman of the supervisory board.
”Douwe’s purpose-driven and people-oriented leadership has been an inspiration to us all and I want to thank him in the name of our shareholder families and the supervisory board.
”We are very happy that JC Filippi will be joining East-West Seed in April,” he continued. ”He brings extensive experience in international agribusiness to our team.
”With him as CEO East-West Seed will be led by a managing board consisting of six people, three men and three women from six different nationalities. As the chairman I’m very proud to see this much diversity in the company.”
Douwe Zijp said that, when he joined East-West Seed as CEO in 2020, he knew it would only for a few years.
”I am glad to continue my involvement by rejoining the supervisory board,” Zijp said. ”I leave East-West Seed in the hands of a very capable successor.”
According to East-West Seed, Filippi brings extensive senior leadership and business development experience in agribusiness, life sciences and food industry across Asia.
“Living close to East-West Seed’s headquarters in Bangkok, I have long admired the company and its mission to serve smallholder farmers,” said Filippi. ”The company is deeply rooted in its purpose with a long-term commitment of its founders and shareholders.
“I am very much looking forward to leading the team through the next phase of growth, building on its current strategy to grow people and markets, with innovation and sustainability as foundation.”
