Basel, Switzerland, July 2026 — Syngenta Group today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Hengde Qin as Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2026, following a thorough nomination and succession process. Qin, currently Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds, succeeds Jeff Rowe, who will remain in the role through August 1 before returning to the United States after nearly ten years 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.”
As Chief Executive Officer, Hengde Qin will lead Syngenta Group’s global strategy and operations, driving sustainable growth, innovation, and value creation while advancing the company’s mission of helping farmers increase productivity with lower environmental impact.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, Hengde Qin served as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds. Since joining Syngenta Group’s Executive Team in 2020, he has held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and President of Syngenta Group China. During his tenure leading the China business, he oversaw a period of significant growth and profitability expansion, establishing it as one of the company’s strongest-performing operations. He has been based at the company’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, since January 2023 and is also a member of the Syngenta Group Board of Directors.
Earlier in his career, Qin served as Chief Executive Officer of two publicly listed companies in mainland China and Hong Kong, building extensive expertise across business operations, finance, commercial leadership, and organizational transformation.
Speaking on his appointment, Hengde 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.”
Outgoing CEO Jeff Rowe added, “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.”
Qin 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.
With his extensive experience across finance, human resources, operations, and business leadership, Hengde Qin is expected to further strengthen Syngenta Group’s leadership in agricultural technology, accelerate innovation, enhance operational excellence, and support the company’s long-term sustainable growth ambitions.
About Syngenta Group
Syngenta Group is one of the world’s largest agricultural technology (AgTech) companies, employing more than 50,000 people across 90+ countries. The company is focused on creating “Breakthroughs for farmers, in every field™”, enabling higher agricultural productivity while preserving natural resources.
Registered in Shanghai, China, with its management headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Syngenta Group operates through four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Seeds, ADAMA®, and Syngenta Group China. The company is the global leader in crop protection and biologicals and ranks among the world’s leading seed companies.
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Congratulations to Hengde Qin on being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Syngenta Group.
A respected global business leader with extensive experience across finance, human resources, operations, and commercial leadership, Hengde Qin has been instrumental in shaping Syngenta Group’s growth over the past several years. Having served as Chief Operating Officer & Head of Seeds, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and President of Syngenta Group China, he now takes on the responsibility of leading one of the world’s largest agricultural technology companies.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Syngenta continues to advance sustainable agriculture, innovation, and food security across global markets.
Wishing Hengde Qin great success in his new role and wishing Syngenta Group continued growth and success.
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