Fertilizer International 524 Jan-Feb 2025
24 January 2025
People
People
ICL has announced that Elad Aharonson will become its new president and CEO, effective 13th March 2025. The company’s board of directors approved the appointment on 23rd December. Elad replaces ICL’s outgoing president and CEO Raviv Zoller who is leaving the company in a planned departure.
Aharonson has been an integral part of ICL’s leadership team for nearly four years, having served as president of the company’s Growing Solutions business unit since April 2021. During this time, he expanded ICL’s specialty fertilizer portfolio and generated sales in new territories – through organic growth and via acquisitions – helping to position ICL as a global leader in the specialty plant nutrition market.
Prior to joining ICL, Aharonson enjoyed a 16-year stint at Elbit Systems, holding various senior management positions – including as executive vice president and general manager of the ISTAR Division. He also served as executive vice president and general manager of Elbit’s UAS Division.
“ICL’s Board of Directors has confidence that Elad is the right person to head ICL, as his years of service to ICL have been marked by outstanding leadership and performance,” said Yoav Doppelt, executive chairman of ICL’s board of directors. “Elad has a profound understanding of ICL’s business and values, as well as a clear vision for the company’s future. We are certain that his leadership will continue to drive ICL’s strategy to significantly increase its specialty product offerings, driven by delivering unique value to its customers, and by translating megatrends into innovative businesses.”
“Additionally, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire ICL team, I want to personally thank Raviv [Zoller] for his dedicated leadership and successful contributions to ICL.” concluded Doppelt.
Mayo Schmidt became the executive chairman of the board of directors of Brazil Potash Corp on 6th January. He replaces Stan Bharti, who will step down as a company director and chair the company’s advisory board instead. Mr Schmidt is the former chairman and CEO of Nutrien and brings to Brazil Potash extensive executive leadership experience in global agriculture, fertilizer manufacturing, and public company governance.
“Mayo’s appointment represents a significant milestone in Brazil Potash’s corporate development,” said Matt Simpson, CEO of Brazil Potash. “His distinguished record building global agricultural businesses and deep expertise in the fertilizer sector are invaluable. We look forward to benefiting from his vast experience as the Company progresses in its next phases of growth as we aim to build Brazil’s premier domestic potash supplier.”
Mr Schmidt’s career notably includes executive roles at Nutrien, the world’s largest fertilizer company, where he served as a board member, as chairman and as transitional president & CEO. In a career highlight, he helped guide the successful merger of Agrium and PotashCorp to form Nutrien in 2018 by chairing the joint committee in charge of the process.
The supervisory board of thyssenkrupp nucera has extended the contract of current CEO Dr Werner Ponikwar for a further five years until July 2030.
“Werner Ponikwar has been driving the development of thyssenkrupp nucera as a strong player in the hydrogen market in recent years. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed the IPO in July 2023, established itself in the dynamic and evolving hydrogen market and brought high-technology products to market. His strategic vision and commitment to innovation have been pivotal for thyssenkrupp nucera’s growth journey and we are looking forward to continuing our trusting collaboration,” said Dr Volkmar Dinstuhl, chairman of the supervisory board.
The board also appointed Dr Stefan Hahn as thyssenkrupp nucera’s new CFO, effective from the start of March. He replaces Dr Arno Pfannschmidt who is retiring. Dr Hahn joins the company from thyssenkrupp AG, where he held various senior positions in the finance & controlling department.
