Corporate governance

Introduction

Hendrix Genetics was founded in 2005 and has evolved through organic growth, acquisition and the integration of leading genetics companies. We serve the animal protein value chain with genetic solutions in laying hens, turkeys, traditional poultry, swine, salmon, trout, and shrimp. Our organization has grown from a small family business to a global leader in animal breeding.

In order to lead forward and set the standard for sustainable breeding, we are anchored by a key group of shareholders, supervisory board members, and executive committee members.

Shareholders
Paine Schwartz and its affiliated co-investors, including Mitsui & Co. and Rabo Investments (the investment arm of Rabobank Group), now hold 50% ownership in the Company with Hendrix Genetics’ co-founders, Thijs Hendrix and Antoon van den Berg, holding the remaining 50% ownership position in the Company.

A global leader in sustainable food chain investing, Paine Schwartz Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investment opportunities in the fast-growing, dynamic global food and agribusiness sectors. The firm's investment, operations and finance professionals invest throughout cycles across the food and agribusiness value chain, and bring a collaborative and active management approach to portfolio companies.

Supervisory Board

Wout_Dekker

Wout Dekker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Wout Dekker joined the company that we now know as Nutreco. From 2000 to 2012 he was the CEO of Nutreco. As CEO of Nutreco, he was involved in the divestment of Euribrid to Hendrix Genetics. After he stepped down as CEO of Nutreco, he has been involved in several Supervisory Boards in the profit and non-profit sector, including Chair of Rabobank, Friesland Campina, and Princess Maxima Centre for Child Oncology. Currently Wout is member of supervisory boards of Hendrix Genetics, SHV Holdings NV, Pon Holdings NV, and Chairman of Randstad NV.

Antoon_van_den_Berg

Antoon van den Berg

Antoon van den Berg has a vast experience of more than 35 years in the agrifood industry in top management positions in the USA (Purina Mills) and European Union (Campofrio, Dumeco, now Vion, and Nutreco). He has built his reputation as manager and leader by creating strong companies and teams. Antoon teamed up with the Hendrix family in 2004. Co-founder and co-shareholder of Hendrix Genetics, he led the company as CEO from 2005 until early 2023.

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Aalt Dijkhuizen
Aalt Dijkhuizen is a non-executive director and advisor for several notable organizations. Along with being a member of Hendrix Genetics’ supervisory board, he is currently a co-director for the Holland Center China, member of the Food & Agri Business advisory board, and chairman of the supervisory board for the Ploeger Oxbo Group.
LinkedIn

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Helis Zulijani-Boye

Helis Zulijani-Boye joined Paine Schwartz Partners as Managing Director in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at Newlight Partners and its predecessor, the Strategic Investments Group at Soros Fund Management, for ten years where she was focused on middle market private and growth equity investing globally. Prior to Soros, she spent four years with the Charterhouse Group, focused on private equity investing in consumer and business services areas. Helis began her career in investment banking at J.P. Morgan and the structured credit group at The Carlyle Group.

LinkedIn

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Lutz Goedde

Lutz Goedde joined Paine Schwartz Partners as a Partner in 2021 bringing over 25 years of experience in the food and agribusiness sector. Prior to Paine Schwartz, Dr. Goedde served as a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Denver office as the Global Leader of the firm’s Agriculture and Food Practice. Dr. Goedde was a member of the leadership team that built the agricultural development program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation entrusted with a $2+ billion grant envelope. He also served as CEO of Alta Genetics.

LinkedIn

Executive Committee

Richard Maatman

Richard Maatman, Chief Executive Officer
Richard Maatman is Chief Executive Officer at Hendrix Genetics since April 1st, 2023, succeeding Antoon van den Berg. He has graduated from Wageningen Agriculture University in 1993, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Animal Science with specialization in Animal Breeding. Richard has extensive international management experience in agribusiness, animal breeding and animal nutrition and has, from 2007 until today, held various senior management positions within Nutreco.
LinkedIn

Roger van Biljouw

Roger van Biljouw, Chief Financial Officer
Roger van Biljouw has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Hendrix Genetics on February 1st, 2023. Roger has extensive experience as CFO and Executive Board member in fast growing, complex, changing and international environments. After graduating from Maastricht University in 1995, where he obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Economics, Roger joined Price Waterhouse Coopers in Germany as an external Auditor. From 2005 until 2023 Roger has held various senior roles in Finance, Internal Audit and has been the CFO of the Teeuwissen Group and at The Sting companies Group.
LinkedIn

Leadership Committee

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Richard Maatman, Chief Executive Officer
Richard Maatman is Chief Executive Officer at Hendrix Genetics since April 1st, 2023, succeeding Antoon van den Berg. He has graduated from Wageningen Agriculture University in 1993, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Animal Science with specialization in Animal Breeding. Richard has extensive international management experience in agribusiness, animal breeding and animal nutrition and has, from 2007 until today, held various senior management positions within Nutreco.
LinkedIn

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Roger van Biljouw, Chief Financial Officer
Roger van Biljouw has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Hendrix Genetics on February 1st, 2023. Roger has extensive experience as CFO and Executive Board member in fast growing, complex, changing and international environments. After graduating from Maastricht University in 1995, where he obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Economics, Roger joined Price Waterhouse Coopers in Germany as an external Auditor. From 2005 until 2023 Roger has held various senior roles in Finance, Internal Audit and has been the CFO of the Teeuwissen Group and at The Sting companies Group.
LinkedIn

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Johan van Arendonk, Chief Innovation & Technology Officer
Johan joined Hendrix Genetics in 2016 as Chief Innovation & Technology Officer. He has deep scientific roots in the field of animal breeding, genetics, and technology through his top-level positions, including Dean of Science, at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. In his role as Chief Innovation & Technology Officer, Johan will be responsible for research & development, the company’s sustainability program and innovation portfolio.
LinkedIn

Peter_Pluk

Peter Pluk, Director Human Resources
Peter Pluk joined Hendrix Genetics in April 2007 as Director of Human Resources. Since then, he has steered the HR function by implementing the company's HR policy strategy, anticipating the human and social impact of organisational changes, and providing support to operational departments and managers on all HR issues and challenges. The inclusion of human resources ensures that the human dimension is an integral part of our corporate strategy.
LinkedIn

Pelayo_Casanovas

Pelayo Casanovas, Managing Director Layers & Traditional Poultry
Pelayo joined Hendrix Genetics in April 2023 as General Manager of the Layer business and General Manager of the Traditional Poultry business. Pelayo is a Spanish national and holds a Master's degree in Poultry Science. His experience will enable him to lead these two business units in executing the Aspiration 2027 strategy.
LinkedIn

Andrew_Hunt

Andrew Hunt, Managing Director Turkeys
Andrew is an experienced animal and agribusiness executive who has worked throughout the United States and Canada. He has vast experience and a proven track record of success in the feed and animal health industry.   He started his career with Shur-Gain and held general management positions with Nutreco USA and Trouw Nutrition. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President (Animal Health & Wellness) with PBI Gordon, a US-based company working in the pet animal health sector. Andrew is Canadian and graduated from the University of Guelph in Canada. 

LinkedIn

Management Committee

  • Pelayo Casanovas, Managing Director Layers & Traditional Poultry | LinkedIn
  • Andrew Hunt, Managing Director Turkeys | LinkedIn
  • Lars Dall, Managing Director Swine | LinkedIn
  • Robbert Blonk, Managing Director Salmonidae | LinkedIn
  • David Danson, Managing Director Shrimp | LinkedIn
  • Ji Chen, Managing Director Business Unit China | LinkedIn
  • Johan van Arendonk, Chief Innovation & Technology Officer | LinkedIn
  • Peter Pluk, Director Human Resources | LinkedIn
  • Raf Beeren, Chief Business Development Officer | LinkedIn
  • Jos Koopman, Director of Strategic Marketing | LinkedIn
  • Dominique Schermesser, Director Operational Excellence | LinkedIn
  • Albert van Driel, General Counsel | LinkedIn
  • Rob Kremers, Director Information Technology | LinkedIn
  • Elsa Gasnier, Excellence Support | LinkedIn