New AB Agri boss looks to invest in emerging feed technologies

By Jane Byrne

- Last updated on GMT

© istock
© istock

Related tags Chief executive officer

José Nobre, formerly CEO of Arysta LifeScience EMEA, will take hold of the reins at AB Agri, the agriculture division of listed company, Associated British Foods (ABF).

He replaces David Yiend, who retired from AB Agri at the end of January, as CEO.

Having led the feed and agriculture division of ABF since 1989, the company said Yiend would continue in another role - chair of frontier agriculture. 

The new boss at AB Agri, Nobre grew up in France and initially trained as a farmer. He began working in the biotech sector in 1989, after studying biochemistry and molecular biology at the universities of Rouen and Marseille. ABF describes his career as extensive in range and international in scope. He has worked in Europe, the US, Japan, Latin America and China. 

ABAgri_JoseColour-3 (2)
José Nobre, new CEO of AB Agri

Two key priorities…

Asked what his immediate goals were as chief executive of AB Agri, Nobre told us:

“I have two key priorities. Firstly, to encourage technical developments, with investments in emerging feed technologies. Secondly, to expand AB Agri into new global markets, and build our international presence even further, while continuing to support and consolidate our position of strength in the UK.”

In a trading updated released mid-January, ABF said the revenue generated by AB Agri, which is active in over 70 countries globally, was 13% ahead of last year at constant currency, 12% ahead at actual exchange rates and profit growth is expected for the full year. 

Nobre said that the business, under the leadership of Yiend, has become an “extraordinarily successful group of businesses.”

“It is now my job to continue the excellent job that David has done.”

In terms of the strengths he brings to this position, Nobre said:

“I have a real passion for the industry, combined with the experience of working in a number of international markets, and a variety of executive and business development roles, operating across the human health; animal health, nutrition and feed; and crop protection sectors.

“Our market leading businesses operate across the entire food supply chain. I want to enable them to further develop and grow, and hope my experience will be a valuable asset as we look to the future.” 

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