THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BASEL (SWITZERLAND), JULY 1, 2026

Syngenta Group has announced the appointment of Hengde Qin as its Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2026, marking a key leadership transition for the global agriculture technology company. The appointment was unanimously approved by the company's Board of Directors following a comprehensive nomination and succession process.

Qin, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds, will succeed Jeff Rowe, who will continue in the role until August 1 before returning to the United States after nearly a decade with the company.

Announcing the appointment, Fanrong Li, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “The Board of Directors believes Hengde, a highly respected leader who boasts a unique combination of operational, financial and commercial experience is the best candidate for the role. We are confident that Hengde will take Syngenta Group to the next level of its sustainable development and value creation. We want to sincerely thank Jeff for his contribution and service as he led the Company through focused execution during one of the most challenging periods in modern agriculture.”

Based at the company's headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, since January 2023, Qin has been a member of Syngenta Group's executive team since 2020. Over the years, he has held several key leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, President of Syngenta Group China, and most recently, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds.

During his tenure as President of Syngenta Group China, Qin spearheaded a period of robust growth and profitability, transforming the China business into one of the company's strongest-performing operations. He also serves on the Syngenta Group Board of Directors.

Speaking on his appointment, Qin said, “Agriculture stands at the center of the world’s most important challenges – from feeding a growing population to improving sustainability and resilience across food systems. That is why the mission of this company matters so deeply to me — we help farmers produce higher yields with lower impact. That mission has never been more important, and few companies are as well positioned as Syngenta to lead that transformation. Together with Syngenta’s talented employees around the world, we will continue to innovate, create lasting value for our customers, and deliver more breakthroughs for farmers, in every field.”

Qin previously served as CEO of two publicly listed companies in mainland China and Hong Kong. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and management from the East China Engineering Institute of Technology, a master's degree in industrial engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and an MBA from the China Europe International Business School.

Reflecting on the leadership transition, Rowe said, "I have worked closely with Hengde for many years and have seen firsthand his commitment to our business, his understanding of our customers, and his deep appreciation for the people who make this company successful. This is a transition from strength to strength."

Rowe joined Syngenta in September 2016 and played a pivotal role in reviving the company's Seeds business, restoring it to profitability and driving strong growth. He later led the Crop Protection business—the company's largest business unit—before being appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Expressing his gratitude, Qin added, “I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence in me and grateful for the opportunity to succeed Jeff.”