French insect producer hires industry veteran to expand business

Agronutris, a French insect ingredients producer, has hired Christopher Haacke for a newly created post, that of director of business development.

The company said Haacke is joining it a key moment in its development, supporting the group's transition from pilot scale to full industrial production, through the commercial deployment of the brand and its products worldwide.

An international marketing, sales and management professional, Agronutris said Haacke brings 25 years of experience in the development of responsible aquaculture to accelerate the company's growth in its two target sectors: aquaculture and pet food.

Haacke started his career in 1996 as European sales manager for Eurosea Ltd. In 2000, he took over as sales and marketing director for Pan Fish Scotland. He joined MSD Animal Health in 2005 as global marketing manager, during a period of rapid expansion where he managed the product portfolio and took responsibility for a series of major product launches in the aquaculture sector. He joined the animal nutrition sector in 2017, as global aquaculture lead for Corbion Algae Ingredients. Responsible for global growth strategy, he was key account management and leader of the sales and business development team.

He holds an MBA from the University of Surrey and a joint honours degree in computer science and geography from Keele University.