Global Agriculture Firm ADAMA Names New Leadership to Drive Next Phase of Growth
Tel Aviv, Saturday, 19 September 2026.
ADAMA has appointed Dr. Zhigang Hao as CEO and Sammy Leibowitz as CFO. The major leadership transition aims to strengthen execution and steer global operations toward sustainable profitability.
Executive Appointments and Effective Dates
ADAMA Ltd. (SZSE: 000553), a leading global crop protection company, has officially announced significant changes to its executive leadership team [1][2]. Dr. Zhigang Hao has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, with his tenure commencing on November 1, 2026 [1][4]. Concurrently, Sammy Leibowitz has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2026 [2][5]. These appointments mark a strategic transition for the company as it navigates ongoing supply chain realignments and shifting global demand patterns in agricultural inputs [1][7].
Departures and Board Continuity
The leadership overhaul involves key departures and role adjustments within the parent organization, Syngenta Group. Outgoing CEO Gaël Hili will assume the role of President of Seeds at Syngenta Group effective November 1, 2026 [1][3]. Despite leaving the CEO position, Hili will remain closely connected to the company’s long-term direction by becoming Chairman of the Boards of ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. and ADAMA Ltd. [1][4]. Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Efrat Nagar is scheduled to leave ADAMA on September 30, 2026, concluding a 22-year tenure with the company [1][3].
Strategic Implications for ADAMA
Dr. Hao joins ADAMA from Adisseo, where he currently serves as CEO, and will relocate from France to Israel to assume his new responsibilities [1][5]. Sammy Leibowitz returns to ADAMA from Syngenta Group, where he served as Global Head of Performance Acceleration, bringing over 13 years of prior experience at ADAMA in finance and strategy [2][6]. Hengde Qin, CEO of Syngenta Group, noted that ADAMA has strengthened its foundations for sustainable, profitable growth over the past two years [2][7]. The new leadership team is expected to focus on delivering against ADAMA’s ambitions for operational excellence and market expansion [2][5].