Vista en Español
AgriFind Completes Culturally Challenging CEO Search
QualiFind’s agribusiness search practice – AgriFind Executive Search successfully completed a culturally challenging CEO search assignment for a subsidiary of United Phosphorus (UP). The UP subsidiary – India-based Advanta Seed has a global footprint and is bucking worldwide recessionary trends by expanding into the U.S., Canadian and Mexico (NAFTA) field crop seed markets.
Advanta is India’s first multinational seed and genetics company and has been acquiring independently owned seed companies within the NAFTA market. The NAFTA business unit has grown in size to require a CEO to oversee the company’s acquisitions in the U.S. and aggressive growth strategy throughout North America and Mexico.
QualiFind’s IRC partner in India – Welkin Partners (www.welkinpartners.com) originated the search practice by leveraging QualiFind’s resources and knowledge of the agribusiness sector within the NAFTA market. The two partner firms worked closely together to meet the significant cultural, geographic and industry differences between the parent company in India and the NAFTA market that Advanta is expanding within.
“The desired CEO needed detailed understanding of the field crop seed industry, managing a mid to large business unit within the NAFTA region, a deep knowledge of U.S. markets and farmer’s concerns, and an ability to integrate Indian and U.S. cultural values,” said Warren Carter. “That was no small order!”
“When entering a new and relatively developed market, a company’s ability to find its first leader is always challenging,” added Pankaj Dutt of Welkin Partners. “Working within the IRC partnership means that we can offer a unique blend of global reach, high cultural appreciation, sharp client focus and significantly less off-limit restrictions, expected from a boutique firm.”
This culturally challenging search assignment was successfully completed with AgriFind’s introduction and engagement of a highly respected leader from the seed and crop protection industry.
“The CEO and Vice President of Human Resources have both expressed their appreciation in the work we did in this challenging search. Also, the candidate that we sourced from a large multi-national plant genetics organization has expressed his satisfaction with the company and his choice in accepting our client’s offer, after having completed a successful transition period,” stated Warren Carter.
For more information on QualiFind Executive Search’s leadership acquisition services, please contact Warren Carter at (619) 921-1795.
