“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.”
Rousseau 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, Rousseau 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 Rousseau, Giuseppe Tumedei will remain CEO of Suba Seeds Co. and recently hired Ron Amarel will continue in his role as managing director of North and South America. André Goig will continue to serve as chairman of the board.
Verisem is a 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.
