Syngenta Group Names New CEO Starting January 2024

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Syngenta Group’s CEO Erik Fyrwald will retire, and he’ll continue as Advisor to Chairman and remain on the Board of Directors. Frywald was CEO for seven and a half years. 

Coming into the role is Jeff Rowe, who is currently president, Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Group’s largest business unit. The Board of Directors announced the appointment on Oct. 20, noting Rowe’s 30 years of experience in ag as well as being a fifth generation farmer. 

“Erik has provided outstanding leadership for Syngenta Group, steering it with steady hands through global pandemic, conflicts and challenging geopolitics while substantially transforming and growing the company,” said Li Fanrong, Chairman of Syngenta Group. “We will always be grateful for his thoughtful, energetic and dynamic leadership of our Group during its transition. And it is Erik’s leadership in developing a strong team that leads naturally to our next phase. With the strong foundation established by Erik, Jeff is the right CEO to lead Syngenta Group. The Board is pleased with the world-class, orderly and planned succession process and has found in Jeff a strong leader with the business acumen, operational skills and strategic vision needed to guide Syngenta Group in this critical industry.”