Syngenta Appoints Boss of Univar as Chief Executive

05 May 2016 --- Syngenta has appointed Erik Frywald, the chief executive of US chemicals company Univar, as its new chief executive, replacing John Ramsay who has been interim chief executive for the past six months.

The appointment of Frywald. who takes up the role on June 1, comes as Syngenta agrees a $43 million takeover bid from Chinese state-owned firm ChemChina.

Ramsay, Syngenta's finance director, has been interim chief executive while Syngenta looked internally and externally for a new chief executive to replace Mike Mack, who quit last year, just days after the Swiss agribusiness headed off a takeover bid from US rival Monsanto.

Michel Demaré, Syngenta chairman, said: "After a rigorous search, the board concluded that Erik's leadership and considerable experience in both agriculture and chemicals, along with his strong track record of success as a CEO made him the outstanding candidate for the role."

"Erik has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to work successfully in different environments, designing and leading strategies which resulted in impressive value creation. I look forward to working with him to create the next chapter of Syngenta's story of success."

"I thank John for his exemplary leadership of Syngenta over the last six months. He has ensured that the company has continued to move forward both strategically and operationally, and has delivered results. “

“He has my sincere appreciation for having taken on this additional responsibility at a critical time for the company. John has also served with considerable distinction as chief financial officer for the past nine years. “

“He will work closely with Erik to ensure a smooth transition and support the closing of the ChemChina transaction."

Ramsay, interim CEO and CFO, said: “I welcome Erik to his new role and wish him every success. I should like to thank all my colleagues for their support during the past six months. I will continue to offer my support and ensure that the Company continues to drive forward.”

Fyrwald, incoming CEO, said: "I have admired Syngenta from the outside for many years and am delighted, therefore, to have been chosen to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey. “

“I greatly look forward to meeting employees, leaders, customers and other stakeholders after I join in June and to working with them to achieve further success in the years to come."

Frywald has held a number of high-level roles, including spending 27 years at DuPont, including the role of group vice president of DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition.

In 2008, he was appointed chairman, president and CEO of oil & gas company Nalco.

In December 2011, Nalco was acquired by EcoLab and Fyrwald took on the role of president of EcoLab until May 2012.

He was then appointed CEO of Univar, a distributor of chemical products and provider of related services, including agricultural inputs.

Mack quit last year amid Syngenta's falling share price after Syngenta rejected a $46 billion bid from Monsanto.