- Push-out Score determined
- After about four and a half years in the position
- Thanks and good wishes for Ferre
- Clint Lewis taking over
(exechange) — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 12, 2021 — Jordi Ferre, chief executive of AgroFresh, leaves. As announced by AgroFresh Solutions Inc. in a news release on Monday, April 12, 2021, Jordi Ferre leaves his post as chief executive officer at the maker of produce freshness products after about four and a half years in the role, effective immediately.
Jordi Ferre’s duties as CEO will be taken over by Clinton A. (Clint) Lewis, most recently executive vice president and group president responsible for international operations, commercial development and global genetics at Zoetis Inc.
The fact that Jordi Ferre’s successor is brought in from outside suggests that the board may seek to stimulate change with fresh ideas and new initiatives.
In general, an outsider does not have the constraints of an insider when it comes to leading painful changes or making unpopular decisions.
“A key inflection point”
AgroFresh did not give an explicit reason for Jordi Ferre’s departure from the CEO post, leaving room for speculation. Nance K. Dicciani, Chairman of the Board of AgroFresh, said: “AgroFresh is at a key inflection point, and the Board believes that Clint is the right person to lead the Company forward. We are confident that he will leverage his life sciences experience and significant leadership abilities to pursue strategic growth opportunities, increase efficiencies and create shareholder value.”
Precise information regarding Jordi Ferre’s future plans was not immediately available.
AgroFresh said: “Mr. Lewis succeeds Jordi Ferre as Chief Executive Officer, who is expected to work with Mr. Lewis and the rest of the team in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.”
Share price decline since October 2016
The announcement follows a decline in AgroFresh Solutions Inc.’s share price of 60% since October 2016. October 2016 is the month in which Ferre’s tenure as CEO began.
Chaired by Nance K. Dicciani
Nance K. Dicciani serves as AgroFresh Solutions Inc.’s Chair of the Board.
Nance K. Dicciani joined the Company’s Board upon the consummation of the Business Combination on July 31, 2015. She was appointed non-executive Chair of the Board on August 13, 2015.
In the position of CEO since 2016
Jordi Ferre became CEO of the Company in 2016.
Jordi Ferre has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company’s Board since October 2016.
Ferre has more than 25 years of international experience in the food ingredients industry, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of PureCircle Limited (“PureCircle”), a global leader in natural food ingredients, including Stevia™ sweetener, from June 2014 to September 2016, and prior to that as PureCircle’s President, Commercial Division from January 2009 to June 2014.
Ferre’s positions prior to joining PureCircle include serving as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Splenda Sucralose with Tate & Lyle PLC, Vice President, Sales and Marketing with Wise Foods, Inc. and Vice President, Marketing/Business Development Americas with Chupa Chups Group.
Ferre holds a Master of Business Administration degree from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
Push-out Score determined
The Push-out Score™ determined by exechange gauges the pressure surrounding Jordi Ferre’s move on a scale of 0 to 10.
exechange reached out to AgroFresh and offered the company the opportunity to comment on the score.
Read the full story in the exechange report 16.2021 ($).