Hengde Qin
From personal experience to global agriculture.
Hengde Qin
From personal experience to global agriculture.
For Hengde Qin, the challenge of ensuring reliable access to food is rooted in personal experience. Growing up in a farming village in central China, he experienced food scarcity firsthand.
Today, as the Chief Executive Officer of Syngenta Group, Hengde leads one of the world’s largest agricultural technology companies at a time when farmers face pressure to produce more food while adapting to climate change, resource constraints and changing expectations from markets and consumers.
Rooted in agriculture
From his early days, Hengde had a close view of the connection between farming, livelihoods and reliable access to food. His unique personal experience continues to inform how he sees the role of agriculture in society and the challenges farmers face in producing more with fewer resources.
“Agriculture stands at the center of the world’s most important challenges – from feeding a growing population to improving sustainability and resilience across food systems,” Hengde said. “That is why the mission of this company matters so deeply to me — we help farmers produce higher yields with lower impact.”
That focus is reflected in Syngenta Group’s purpose: Breakthroughs for farmers, in every field™. Hengde has pointed to Syngenta’s science, technology, AI and digital agriculture capabilities, and global reach as strengths that can help farmers improve productivity and resilience.
“That mission has never been more important, and few companies are as well positioned as Syngenta to lead that transformation,” he said. “Together with Syngenta’s talented employees around the world, we will continue to innovate, create lasting value for our customers, and deliver more breakthroughs for farmers, in every field.”
Experience across the business
Hengde joined Syngenta Group’s executive team in 2020. He served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and President of Syngenta Group China before becoming Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds. He is also a member of the Syngenta Group Board of Directors and is based at the company’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.
As President of Syngenta Group China, Hengde led a period of significant growth and profitability expansion that established the China business as one of the company’s strongest-performing operations and growth platforms.
Before joining Syngenta, Hengde held chief executive roles at two publicly listed companies in mainland China and Hong Kong. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management, a master’s degree in industrial engineering, and an MBA from the China Europe International Business School.
A transition from within
Fanrong Li, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said the Board viewed Hengde’s breadth of experience as central to the decision.
“The Board of Directors believes Hengde, a highly respected leader who boasts a unique combination of operational, financial and commercial experience is the best candidate for the role,” Li said. “We are confident that Hengde will take Syngenta Group to the next level of its sustainable development and value creation.”
Jeff Rowe, who was CEO from January 2024 to July 2026, described the transition as one based on familiarity with the business and its customers.
“I have worked closely with Hengde for many years and have seen firsthand his commitment to our business, his understanding of our customers, and his deep appreciation for the people who make this company successful,” Rowe said. “This is a transition from strength to strength.”
Connecting markets and perspectives
Hengde has often described part of his leadership role as connecting different parts of a global business.
Syngenta operates in more than 90 countries, with businesses spanning crop protection, seeds, biologicals and digital solutions. That scale requires balancing global scientific capabilities with the local realities farmers face in different markets.
“I see one of my roles as bringing people together,” Hengde has said. “Connecting Switzerland and the wider world. Connecting innovation with the realities farmers face every day. And connecting strong business performance with long-term agricultural resilience.”
Hengde is keen to hear directly from employees, customers and partners as he looks to deepen his understanding of the pressures farmers face and where Syngenta can help.
The task ahead
Agriculture has entered a period of rapid change. Advances in science, artificial intelligence and digital technology are reshaping how crops are developed, protected and managed. At the same time, farmers face more volatile weather, pressure on natural resources and expectations to produce more with less.
For Hengde, those challenges are both professional and personal.
“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence in me and grateful for the opportunity to succeed Jeff,” he said.
Hengde's path from a farming village in central China to the leadership of a global agricultural technology company gives him a perspective shaped by both lived experience and executive responsibility.
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