Philippe Rousseau to lead newly branded Verisem
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
Philippe Rousseau, a seed industry veteran, was named Global Chief Executive Officer (Global CEO) for Verisem B.V., (Verisem), a Paine Schwartz Partners, LLC (Paine Schwartz Partners) portfolio company. Paine Schwartz Partners also announced that Verisem is the new name for its collection of specialty seed production companies, with operations in the Netherlands, France, Italy and the United States.
“We’re excited to welcome someone with Philippe’s talent and experience in operating across the complex global seed industry as we build the newly-formed Verisem, a global leader in specialty seed production,” said Angelos Dassios, Partner at Paine Schwartz Partners and a Director with Verisem. “Philippe will play a critical role in Verisem’s success as we continue to develop the depth and breadth of Verisem’s production capabilities, global network and reach.”
Philippe most recently led the sunflower and winter oilseed rape seeds business at Syngenta. Prior to that role, he held various commercial and marketing positions in the field crops seeds business at Syngenta, and developed key active ingredients for the company’s seed treatment business. Before his roles at Syngenta, he worked for Cargill Seeds and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
As Global CEO, Philippe will direct the operations of Verisem’s three primary companies: Brotherton Seed Company, Inc., Condor Seed Production, Inc., and Suba Seeds Co., as well as any future acquisitions or new business developments. “I’m honored and excited to join this group of best-in-class seed production operations and I share Paine Schwartz Partners’ vision of establishing a true global leader in specialty seed production and distribution,” he said. “I look forward to working with the existing team to execute a global growth strategy, building on the company’s foundation of excellence in seedsmanship, production reliability and trusted industry partnerships.”
Supporting Philippe, Giuseppe Tumedei will remain CEO of Suba Seeds Co. and recently hired Ron Amarel will continue in his role as Managing Director of the Americas. André Goig will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Verisem, through its operating subsidiaries, produces a wide range of high-quality vegetable seeds, from carrots and coriander to beans, peas and broccoli. Learn more at www.verisemseeds.com.
About Verisem
Verisem is a leading global producer, packer and distributor of specialty vegetable seeds for the professional, semiprofessional and hobby garden markets around the world, and a contract supplier to a diverse set of global seed companies. The company maintains production expertise across an expansive variety of more than 90 different seed types and more than 2,000 different varieties including beans, cabbage, carrots, chicory, coriander, onions, peas and radishes. Verisem today has operations in the Netherlands, France, Italy and the United States and offers production services for customers located in more than 90 countries worldwide. www.verisemseeds.com.
About Paine Schwartz Partners
A global leader in sustainable food chain investing, Paine Schwartz Partners is a private equity firm that focuses on investment opportunities in the fast-growing, dynamic global food and agribusiness sectors. The firm’s investment, operations and finance professionals invest throughout cycles across the food and agribusiness value chain and bring a collaborative and active management approach to portfolio companies. The firm currently invests through its $893 million Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund IV, which is solely dedicated to food and agribusiness investing. For further information, see www.paineschwartz.com.
Media Contact:
Kenna Rathai
815.422.0321
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Verisem
Rapenburgerstraat 179 K
1011 VM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
verisemseeds.com
