Syngenta Group announces Hengde Qin as new CEO

Syngenta Group announced this Tuesday the appointment of Hengde Qin as new CEO, scheduled to start on August 1, 2026.

The decision was taken unanimously by the Board of Directors after an appointment and succession process. Currently COO (Chief Operating Officer) and responsible for the Seeds area, Qin will replace Jeff Rowe, who will remain in the position until the transition date and then return to the United States.

According to the chairman of the Board of Directors, Fanrong Li, Qin's choice is based on his operational, financial and commercial experience. He stated that the executive brings together skills considered relevant for the continuity of the company's sustainable development strategy and value creation.

The Board also thanked Jeff Rowe for leading the company through a challenging period in the agricultural sector.

Hengde Qin has been based at Syngenta's headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, since January 2023. He has been part of the company's executive team since 2020, having held different leadership roles in the areas of business, finance, human resources and global operations. Among the positions already held are CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and president of Syngenta Group China.

Jeff Rowe joined Syngenta in 2016 and initially led the restructuring of the Seeds unit, with growth and return to profitability. He later headed the Crop Protection area, before taking on the role of CEO of the company.

Source: CNN