18 September 2026, Beijing: ADAMA Ltd. has appointed Dr. Zhigang Hao as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2026, and Sammy Leibowitz as Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2026.
Dr. Hao will succeed Gaël Hili, who will become President of Seeds at Syngenta Group from November 1. In his new role, Hili will lead Syngenta Group’s combined Seeds portfolio covering field crops and vegetable seeds and will remain a member of the Syngenta Group Leadership Team.
Hili will also become Chairman of the Boards of ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. and ADAMA Ltd., allowing him to remain involved with ADAMA and its long-term direction.
Dr. Hao joins ADAMA from Adisseo, a global specialty chemicals and animal nutrition company, where he currently serves as CEO. He has experience in operations, business transformation and corporate governance, as well as managing international businesses across multiple markets. He will relocate from France to Israel for the new role.
Leibowitz is returning to ADAMA from Syngenta Group, where he currently serves as Global Head of Performance Acceleration. He previously spent more than 13 years at ADAMA in senior roles covering finance, corporate development and strategy. During his earlier tenure, he was involved in developing and implementing ADAMA’s transformation strategy.
Leibowitz will succeed Efrat Nagar, who will leave ADAMA on September 30 after 22 years with the company. Nagar held several senior finance leadership positions during her career at ADAMA and served on the Global ADAMA Leadership Team for five years, including three and a half years as CFO.
Hengde Qin, CEO of Syngenta Group, said ADAMA had made progress over the past two years in strengthening the business and establishing a strategy focused on sustainable and profitable growth.
“I would like to thank Gaël for his leadership, dedication and commitment to ADAMA and its people, and I am pleased that he will remain closely connected to the company as Chairman of the Boards,” Qin said.
Commenting on the incoming leadership, Qin said Hao brings global, operational and transformation experience, while Leibowitz combines financial and strategic experience with knowledge of ADAMA and its business.
Dr. Zhigang Hao, incoming President and CEO of ADAMA, said he looked forward to building on the company’s existing position in global agriculture.
“ADAMA is supported by talented people and deep expertise across the organization,” Hao said. “Together with the Global ADAMA Leadership Team and our colleagues around the world, I look forward to further strengthening the company’s performance, serving farmers and customers, and realizing the many opportunities ahead.”
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