Certis announces change at the helm

After over 11years as Chief Executive Officer of Certis Europe and its predecessor Proagro Bob Skillicorn will step down at the end of June and will hand over to Mark Waltham, currently Strategic Marketing Director with the company.

Since its launch in November 2001 Certis has grown rapidly across Europe from its origins in UK, France, Holland and Belgium. Important factors driving this growth have been the development and launch of new products from shareholders and key suppliers and the establishment of new offices in southern Europe. The business has achieved 18% compound annual growth rate since its launch, pushing through the €100m sales barrier in early 2008 from a start point of €25m in 2001.

From its original position as a supplier of crop protection products and solutions to the high value and speciality crop sectors of fruit, vegetables and flowers, the company has more recently expanded its portfolio into arable crops where it has achieved significant growth in UK and France. 

A farmer’s son from Dorset in the UK, Mark Waltham held technical and commercial roles in Certis UK and Certis Europe before moving to Syngenta in Switzerland for 5 years, where he was latterly Head of Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Management in the Lawn and Garden business. He returned to Certis Europe in late 2009 and takes up his new position as CEO with effect from the 1st July.