Certis Europe appoints Head of Strategic Marketing

Certis Europe is to further strengthen its Management Board with the appointment of Steve Kirby as Head of Strategic Marketing from 1 July 2014. This is a new role, reporting direct to Mark Waltham, Chief Executive Officer of Certis Europe. The position will encompass line management responsibility for Licensing, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Marketing & Communications and the commercial aspects of Portfolio Management.

Among his Board responsibilities Steve will focus in particular on the Seed Treatment and Arable sectors of Certis marketing strategy, working closely with Certis Europe Shareholders and other suppliers on licensing of new products with a particular focus on
markets in the UK and France.

Previously employed as Marketing and Development Director of Sumitomo Chemical Europe, Steve has been based in Lyon, France for the past 10 years. His achievements include optimising the growth of business in Europe, Middle East and Africa through management of the current and future product portfolio as well as identifying and negotiating external growth opportunities.

He was formerly Global Head of Licensing with Bayer Crop Science and Sales Director, Aventis CropScience in France and brings to Certis a wealth of experience with a record of achievements in sales, product management and marketing.