Change of leadership at East-West Seed

Douwe Zijp will step down as CEO of East-West Seed on 1 April 2023. He will be succeeded by Jean-Christophe (JC) Filippi. 

Ard Groot, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: "Under Douwe’s leadership our new corporate strategy was launched, and our governance structure and company culture were strengthened. 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 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 adds: “When I joined East-West Seed as CEO in 2020, we knew this to be only for a few years. I am glad to continue my involvement by rejoining the Supervisory Board. I leave East-West Seed in the hands of a very capable successor.” 

JC Filippi brings extensive senior leadership and business development experience in agribusiness, life sciences and food industry across Asia. Before joining East-West Seed, JC was the President for Asia Pacific at Phibro Animal Health Corporation, after holding various managing director roles at Cargill and being the CEO of the Gold Coin Group. 

“Living close to East-West Seed’s headquarters in Bangkok, I have long admired the company and its mission to serve smallholder farmers. The company is deeply rooted in its purpose with a long-term commitment of its founders and shareholders,” says JC Filippi. “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.” 

As CEO, JC Filippi will be supported by a diverse and gender-balanced Managing Board: 

Katalin Pákozdi (Chief Research and Development Officer)

Ratiporn Ratcharoen (Chief Finance Officer)

Cathlea Barote (Chief People Officer)

Dilip Rajan (Chief Operating Officer)

Joost van Elzakker (Chief Commercial Officer)