Syngenta Group announced on October 20, 2023, that Jeff Rowe would become its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024. Rowe took over from Erik Fyrwald, who retired after seven and a half years at the helm. Fyrwald had joined Syngenta as CEO in June 2016 and played a pivotal role in the company's growth, overseeing its acquisition by ChemChina and the formation of Syngenta Group. Under his leadership, the company's revenue grew from $12.8 billion in 2016 to $33.4 billion in 2022. Fyrwald also championed initiatives in global food security, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture. He was expected to continue as an advisor to the chairman and remain on the board of directors.
Jeff Rowe, 50, previously served as President of Syngenta Crop Protection, the company's largest business unit. Before that, he successfully led the turnaround of Syngenta Seeds, achieving significant growth and returning the business to profitability. Rowe joined Syngenta in September 2016 as President of Syngenta Seeds and North America. His background also includes 20 years in various leadership positions at DuPont Pioneer. The board highlighted Rowe's nearly 30 years of diverse experience in the agriculture sector and his firsthand knowledge as a fifth-generation farmer, emphasizing his passion for innovation and making global agriculture more sustainable.
Subsequently, on August 1, 2026, Syngenta Group announced that Hengde Qin would succeed Jeff Rowe as CEO. Qin, who was the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds, took over the role after Rowe decided to return to the United States following nearly 10 years with the company. The board highlighted Qin's operational, financial, and commercial expertise, as well as his commitment to sustainable development and value creation. The transition was described by Rowe as a "transition from strength to strength."
