Continued growth at Elsoms Seeds drives expansion of senior leadership team

Elsoms Seeds, the UK’s leading independent plant breeder, seed treater and seed supplier, has announced it is expanding its senior leadership team.


The new structure highlights the importance that Elsoms places on relationships with both customers and partners and sees familiar faces take on additional responsibilities, enabling the company to build on its strengths for the future.

Elsoms’ strong vegetable portfolio, outstandingly successful wheats, expanded seed treatment business and new barley breeding initiative will all play key roles in future plans. Continued growth is also expected thanks to an expanding range of products and services and ongoing investment in research and development programmes.

In the new structure, Roger Keeling retains the role of Elsoms Seeds’ Chairman and Robin Wood becomes Deputy Chairman and Commercial Director. Robin’s increased role acknowledges his deep understanding of crop performance and of the wider industry and will enable him to fully develop the commercial opportunities the company’s growth presents.

To facilitate this change, Anthony Keeling steps down as Deputy Chairman of Elsoms Seeds Ltd but continues in his role as a Director of the company and remains Deputy Chairman of the holding company, Elsoms (Spalding) Ltd. Robin Wood said,
“Anthony has played a vital role in recent years, successfully transferring responsibility and knowledge in his characteristically generous manner. His experience and passion for the industry will continue to be invaluable to the Board and the company in the future.”

Andrew Davis expands his role, becoming Finance and Logistics Director (he was previously Elsoms’ Finance Director). He now takes on responsibility for warehouse activities in addition to his existing role in finance, human resources, health and safety, and information technology.

David Coop will be the new Research, Development and Marketing Director, managing the extensive research and development team and retaining responsibility for Elsoms’ marketing activities. Sue Kennedy will continue to work closely with David as she now moves into an advisory role for the company. During her time leading the R&D function, Sue Kennedy built an incredibly strong R&D team and delivered a development projects pipeline that will be key to the company’s future growth.

Roger Keeling, Chairman of Elsoms Seeds, said:
“The expansion of our senior team puts Elsoms in a great position to build on recent growth and to continue delivering for our customers and partners. Our focus on providing growers and farmers with outstanding varieties, high quality service, bespoke treatments and expert backup has proved to be a winning combination. Our development projects, ongoing investment in all aspects of the business, new partnerships within the industry and a growing portfolio of products all point to a really exciting future for Elsoms. Together, the new senior team is looking forward to making that future happen.”