Mark Schermer named global head of Syngenta Flowers

Syngenta Flowers has announced that Michael Kester will retire at the end of 2020 after 42 years at Syngenta. Mark Schermer is appointed as his successor as global head of Syngenta Flowers beginning Sept. 1.

Michael Kester has dedicated his entire career to Syngenta. He has held senior roles in the Crop Protection business in Africa, Germany, Argentina and Japan. He then led the Vegetable Seeds business in Europe, Africa and Middle East, and subsequently the Syngenta organization in Benelux. In the last three years as head of Syngenta Flowers, he has built a strong foundation for the future growth of Syngenta’s Flowers business.

“I would like to thank Michael for his outstanding contribution to Syngenta and to agriculture,” said Matthew Johnston, Head Vegetable Seeds and Flowers at Syngenta. “In the last three years, Michael has led the transformation of our Flowers business, delivering sales growth and leading three strategic acquisitions to further strengthen our world-leading Flowers portfolio. I’d like to thank Michael for his leadership and partnership and wish him a very long and happy retirement.”

Mark Schermer joined Syngenta in January 2018 as Head Flowers Marketing for Europe, and then was appointed Head of Flowers Europe in May 2019.  Mark has successfully led the transformation of the Flowers marketing and commercial organizations in the region and brings significant leadership experience in the flowers industry to his new role. Mark will be based at Syngenta’s global Seeds office in Downers Grove, Illinois.

“Mark’s depth of industry experience and strong leadership will enable us to continue to drive our strategy to bring our growers the world-leading products, service and innovation they need,” Johnston said. “The industry has suffered significantly during the Covid-19 situation, and this makes us even more determined to do all we can to help and support our customers, many of whom we know are fighting for their livelihoods.”