Executive Search: An Agribusiness CEO Case Study 

How Stanton Chase harvested a groundbreaking new CEO for a seed-producing global agribusiness.

>The Background 

An Agribusiness Looking for a CEO to Help It Bloom 

East-West Seed (EWS), a Dutch private enterprise based in Thailand, specializes in breeding and producing top-quality vegetable seeds for tropical environments.  

Historically, the company has recruited CEOs from within its niche sector, selecting Dutch nationals for the role. However, EWS sought the assistance of Stanton Chase to help them find a forward-thinking, innovative CEO to lead the company into the future. 

> The Challenge 

Sowing the Seeds for a Diverse CEO Hire  

EWS has experienced remarkable success, but they recognized that a CEO with a diverse perspective, an innovative approach, and a distinctive outlook could elevate their achievements even further.  

They tasked Stanton Chase with conducting a worldwide search for their next CEO, emphasizing their openness to diversity in terms of industry, ethnicity, and gender. 

The goal was to identify a performance-driven candidate with a demonstrated history of success who could contribute a fresh, unique perspective to the organization. 

>The Solution 

Unearthing a World-Class CEO Shortlist 

The quest for the perfect candidate was on. Fortunately, we knew precisely where to look. By employing our extensive global connections, local knowledge, and ability to engage passive candidates (those not actively seeking employment), we compiled a remarkable shortlist.  

Following a thorough global search, we narrowed down the selection to five individuals: a Danish man in Shanghai, an Indian woman in the Netherlands, an Australian man in Tokyo, a Dutch man in Bangkok, and a French man in Bangkok. 

After conducting multiple interviews and assessing each finalist using Hogan and Hofstede Cultural Adaptability Profiles, the French candidate emerged as the top choice. We successfully negotiated his offer, and he began his new role as CEO in April 2023. 

> Feedback 

EWS’s First Executive Search Experience Cultivates a Game-Changing Hire 

For the first time, EWS, a family-run global business, decided to seek help from an executive search firm. They wanted to find a leadership partner who would be as invested in their success as they were. That’s when they discovered Stanton Chase, a perfect match for their needs. 

“East West Seed (EWS) engaged Stanton Chase to find our next CEO. For EWS, this marked the first time in the company’s history that the board felt it necessary to engage a firm to support our external search for the talent needed at this level to drive our mission, vision, values, and global strategy. 

“After a robust tender process, the EWS board chose Stanton Chase. The search was led by Fiona Lavan, Global Agribusiness Sector Leader based in Sydney, and supported by Stanton Chase’s Amsterdam office. They demonstrated a strong cultural affinity with family-owned businesses, a comprehensive understanding of the candidate brief, and impressive sector knowledge. 

“Stanton Chase’s communication with the board and potential candidates was excellent, and their patience in working with a board that had not gone through this process before was commendable. 

“Stanton Chase identified several strong contenders for the role and supported the board through the final face-to-face interview process to select the right candidate for EWS. Our new CEO started in April 2023, and we are all excited about the future he will help shape for EWS.”

Stanton Chase’s communication with the board and potential candidates was excellent, and their patience in working with a board that had not gone through this process before was commendable.

— Ard Groot, Chair, East West Seed 

>Our Team 

Agribusiness Specialists with a Passion for Sprouting Growth 

This CEO executive search was spearheaded by Fiona Lavan, Managing Director of Stanton Chase in Australia and Global Sector Leader of Agribusiness.  

Fiona’s efforts were further bolstered by the support of Stanton Chase Amsterdam, exemplifying the global collaboration that forms the foundation of Stanton Chase.  

By partnering with Stanton Chase, clients gain access to the extensive reach and expertise of our global network. 

At Stanton Chase, we value the power of collaboration and partnership with our clients. Our strong relationship with EWS, built on trust and open communication, allowed us to co-create innovative solutions to address their talent needs, delivering exceptional results in their CEO search. Our rigorous search process sought out individuals with diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and proven track records. We understand that building world-class leadership teams is essential for long-term success and we look forward to continuing to help EWS cultivate the next generation of leaders.

— Fiona Lavan, Managing Director of Stanton Chase in Australia, and the Global Sector Leader of Agribusiness