Kats, Netherlands – April 30, 2025 –The Kingfish Company N.V. (the “Company”; “Kingfish”; OSE: KING) today announced that Alexandre van der Wees will step down from his position on the Supervisory Board following the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The Nomination Committee has nominated Xavier Govare to join as a new member. His appointment, along with the reappointments to the Supervisory Board of Jordi Trias Fita and Hans den Bieman, will be proposed at the AGM on June 4, 2025.
Xavier Govare is a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience in the food industry, including 15 years as Chairman and CEO of Labeyrie Fine Foods. During his tenure, he transformed the company into a leading international food group, growing revenue from €30 million to €1.1 billion and completing multiple strategic acquisitions. Mr. Govare is renowned for his strategic vision, marketing expertise, brand development, financial and operational management. He has extensive experience managing industrial operations across Europe and navigating complex shareholder structures, including listed companies, LBOs, and private ownership. He currently serves on the boards of several organizations in the agri-food and packaging sectors.
In addition to these changes, Michel de Rovira’s mandate as member and Chairman of the Nomination Committee is up for renewal at the upcoming General Meeting. The Nomination Committee has nominated Charles Francois to join as a new member and Chairman. His appointment will be proposed at the AGM on June 4, 2025.
Charles François is an investment professional with over 15 years of international experience in private equity, corporate strategy, and M&A. He currently serves as Investment Director at Creadev, leading initiatives within the aquaculture platform and the broader food industry. Previously, he held key leadership roles at Roquette, including M&A and Strategy for North America, and Product Line Management for the Asia Pacific region, driving growth through strategic investments and cross-functional planning. Mr. François also brings deep expertise in private equity from his time at Turenne Capital and FCDE, and a solid foundation in leveraged finance from GE Capital. He is a graduate of EM Lyon Business School and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
Jeroen Scheelbeek, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated: “We are pleased to propose Xavier Govare for appointment to the Supervisory Board and Charles Francois as a member and Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Xavier brings a wealth of international experience in the food sector, and Charles has a strong background in corporate finance and M&A. We are also pleased to propose the reappointments of Jordi and Hans, recognizing their valuable contributions to the Supervisory Board.
We extend our gratitude to Alexandre for his contributions during his tenure on the Supervisory Board and as a member of the Remuneration Committee. His knowledge and experience in the industry have been greatly valued. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Alexandre van der Wees, commented: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to follow The Kingfish Company’s journey since 2019 as a member of the Supervisory Board. Having recently taken a CEO responsibility in the field of aquaculture, it is now time for me to shift my focus. And I am convinced that my successor will be a strong addition to The Kingfish Company, as a fresh yet very experienced set of new eyes.”
Further information will be provided in the context of the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for June 4, 2025. A full agenda on voting matters for shareholders will be posted on May 6, 2025.
For media and investor inquiries, please contact
press@the-kingfish-company.com
About The Kingfish Company
The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. Current annual production capacity at its Kingfish Zeeland facility in the Netherlands is 4,000 tons of high quality and high-value yellowtail kingfish. Next expansion opportunities are in the Netherlands and the US. Kingfish Maine is fully permitted by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to build an 8,500 tons production facility.
Production is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which protect biodiversity and ensure biosecurity. Animal welfare is paramount, and the fish is grown without use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100 percent renewable electricity, sourced from wind, solar and biogas. The Company’s facilities operate on sea water, avoiding wasting precious fresh water.
The Kingfish Company’s main product, the Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as ricciola/hiramasa/greater amberjack) is a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in the Italian and Asian fusion cuisines. Its products are certified and approved as sustainable and environmentally friendly by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), GLOBAL G.A.P. and Friend of the Sea.