Jacob Hansen
Director General, Fertilizers Europe
Mr. Jacob Hansen took over as the Director General of Fertilizers Europe in 2011. Prior to that he worked for the Danish Agriculture and Food Council in Copenhagen and then as Director of their office in Brussels. From a farming background and having studied Political Science at the University of Aarhus in Denmark (MA 1989), he understands first-hand the importance of fert...
Mr. Jacob Hansen took over as the Director General of Fertilizers Europe in 2011. Prior to that he worked for the Danish Agriculture and Food Council in Copenhagen and then as Director of their office in Brussels. From a farming background and having studied Political Science at the University of Aarhus in Denmark (MA 1989), he understands first-hand the importance of fertilizers to society and the need to communicate this.
Having worked and been actively involved in a range of committees, platforms and task forces for over 20 years, Mr. Hansen has developed an extensive network within the agri-industrial sectors in Brussels.
Zhai Jidong
Vice President, Kingenta
Mr Zhai Jidong is Vice President of Kingenta Group and President of Kingenta International, the world’s largest slow and controlled release fertilizer producer and China largest NPK compound and Specialty fertilizer producer and a public company listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002470).
A 32-year veteran of the agriculture industry, Mr. Zhai was previously COO at Spu...
Mr Zhai Jidong is Vice President of Kingenta Group and President of Kingenta International, the world’s largest slow and controlled release fertilizer producer and China largest NPK compound and Specialty fertilizer producer and a public company listed in Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002470).
A 32-year veteran of the agriculture industry, Mr. Zhai was previously COO at Spur Ventures Inc., a public company listed in Toronto, Headquarter in Vancouver, where he led Spur’s business in China with a large phosphate mine and chemical complex integrated project. Prior to Spur, he was Executive Vice president and Chief Economist of Sino-Arab Chemical Fertilizers Co. Ltd.(SACF). He was formerly Managing Director of Huaying Phosphoric Acid Co. Ltd., a joint venture company between Japanese ITOCHOU and Chinese CNCCC.
Mr. Zhai was Vice Chairman of the China Phosphate Industry Association, Director of the China Sulphuric Acid Industry Association and was Member of Hebei Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC). Mr. Zhai is Senior Chemical Engineer and has Bachelor Degree of Science and Master Degree at Economics.
Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand
President Yara Clean Ammonia, Yara International
Magnus became president of Yara’s newly established clean ammonia unit in February, having previously served as president of Yara North America, where he was responsible for the company’s sales, supply chain and production activities in the region, including its ammonia plants in Freeport and Trinidad. Before this, Magnus was chief financial officer of Yara’s Industrial bu...
Magnus became president of Yara’s newly established clean ammonia unit in February, having previously served as president of Yara North America, where he was responsible for the company’s sales, supply chain and production activities in the region, including its ammonia plants in Freeport and Trinidad. Before this, Magnus was chief financial officer of Yara’s Industrial business and director of corporate strategy. He joined Yara after five years at Boston Consulting Group, before which he served in the Royal Norwegian Navy. Magnus holds a BSc in nautical engineering and an MBA from the Norwegian School of Economics.
Gavin Chong
Vice-President Asia, Fertilizer Markets, Argus
Gavin Chong joined Argus Singapore in January 2015 and is currently the fertilizer business development vice-president for Asia. He has a previous eight years of experience in trading, distribution, and managing NPK production based in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Gavin Chong joined Argus Singapore in January 2015 and is currently the fertilizer business development vice-president for Asia. He has a previous eight years of experience in trading, distribution, and managing NPK production based in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Innocent Okuku
Vice President, West African Fertilizer Association
Innocent Okuku is the Vice-President and Coordinator for Partnerships of the West Africa Fertilizer Association (WAFA), an umbrella for all private sector players in the fertilizer industry operating within the ECOWAS region. Mr Okuku is also the Chief Executive Officer of Intrio Synergy Limited (ISL), an agro-allied company based in Nigeria and focused on helping smallhol...
Innocent Okuku is the Vice-President and Coordinator for Partnerships of the West Africa Fertilizer Association (WAFA), an umbrella for all private sector players in the fertilizer industry operating within the ECOWAS region. Mr Okuku is also the Chief Executive Officer of Intrio Synergy Limited (ISL), an agro-allied company based in Nigeria and focused on helping smallholder farmers achieve increased production and income through the adoption of improved farming practices and inputs, including balanced fertilizers. He has over 25 years experience in the agricultural industry spanning research, development and commercial positions in both public and private organizations, including over 8 years in the fertilizer industry in Nigeria where he served as Group Head of Commercial Services at Notore Chemical Industries PLC, West Africa’s premier Urea Manufacturer, where he was responsible for all the functions related to business Development, marketing and sales in all markets including locally in Nigeria and exports globally. Mr Okuku has great capacity and experience in developing and running Public-Private-Partnerships towards deploying appropriate farm inputs and technologies to help increase farm yields across Africa. Innocent is an alumnus of the prestigious London Business School and also holds a Doctorate degree in Crop Production.
Berit Hinnemann
Director, Head of Decarbonization Business Development, Maersk
Berit is Head of Decarbonization Business Development at Maersk and is working on projects to decarbonise shipping with a focus on future marine fuels. Before joining Maersk in April 2020, she worked for Haldor Topsoe for 13 years in roles within R&D, business development, technology scouting and corporate strategy, covering technical and commercial projects across ammonia...
Berit is Head of Decarbonization Business Development at Maersk and is working on projects to decarbonise shipping with a focus on future marine fuels. Before joining Maersk in April 2020, she worked for Haldor Topsoe for 13 years in roles within R&D, business development, technology scouting and corporate strategy, covering technical and commercial projects across ammonia, methanol, syngas and refinery catalysts and technologies. Berit has also worked as a research scientist in materials science at Princeton University. She has a master’s in physics from the University of Duisburg-Essen and a PhD in physics from the Technical University of Denmark with a focus on catalysis and ammonia synthesis.
Mike Nash
Senior Editor, Fertilizers, Argus
Mike is responsible for managing the London editorial fertilizer team and helps to develop new contacts. He is the Editor of Argus’ weekly Phosphates Report and the Monthly Africa Fertilizer Supplement, and the main contributor to the Monthly Phosphates Outlook. He also has special responsibility for the emerging African sector.
Mike is responsible for managing the London editorial fertilizer team and helps to develop new contacts. He is the Editor of Argus’ weekly Phosphates Report and the Monthly Africa Fertilizer Supplement, and the main contributor to the Monthly Phosphates Outlook. He also has special responsibility for the emerging African sector.
Rob Groot
Director, Business Development and Partnerships, IFDC
Rob Groot is Director IFDC for Business Development and Partnerships and has over 25 years’ experience in international agricultural development, particularly relating to food security and soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. He has been Director IFDC (East and Southern Africa and North and West Africa) since 2004. During this time, IFDC has seen a tenfold expa...
Rob Groot is Director IFDC for Business Development and Partnerships and has over 25 years’ experience in international agricultural development, particularly relating to food security and soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. He has been Director IFDC (East and Southern Africa and North and West Africa) since 2004. During this time, IFDC has seen a tenfold expansion of its activities in Africa, where projects are increasingly undertaken in collaboration with the private sector, from both the agro-food and fertilizer industries. Before joining IFDC, Rob was involved in research involving soil fertility improvement, fertilizer use and climate change in Africa, mainly working for Wageningen University in the Netherlands. He holds an MSc in biology and agronomy from Wageningen University.
Gopal Chandak
CEO, Fert Agro
Gopal Chandak is Chief Executive of Fertagro Africa DMCC and a visionary professional with more than 15 years of experience in the fertilizer industry. Driving organisational strategies with strong leadership skills Gopal focuses on strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and the development of people. He contributes to the company’s growth prospects in Africa and ...
Gopal Chandak is Chief Executive of Fertagro Africa DMCC and a visionary professional with more than 15 years of experience in the fertilizer industry. Driving organisational strategies with strong leadership skills Gopal focuses on strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and the development of people. He contributes to the company’s growth prospects in Africa and has served on the Board of WAFA (West Africa Fertilizer Association Africa).
Oliver Hatfield
VP Sustainable Fertilizers, Argus
Oliver Hatfield, is VP Business Development for Argus Media in London. Oliver joined Argus in October 2018 following its acquisition of Integer Research, where he spent 15 years as head of the fertilizer market research team. Oliver has more than 20 years of experience in business analysis and consulting, and he was also one of the founders of Integer. Oliver has worked e...
Oliver Hatfield, is VP Business Development for Argus Media in London. Oliver joined Argus in October 2018 following its acquisition of Integer Research, where he spent 15 years as head of the fertilizer market research team. Oliver has more than 20 years of experience in business analysis and consulting, and he was also one of the founders of Integer. Oliver has worked extensively on multi-client and bespoke fertilizer market analysis studies, covering market forecasts, strategy, due diligence, market entry and project feasibility. He has worked as an analyst on all the key fertilizer and related chemical markets: nitrogen, phosphates, potash, sulphur and sulphuric acid. Oliver is a graduate of economics and development economics from the University of Manchester in the UK.
David Maher
Editor - Fertilizers Europe and Fertilizer Africa , Argus
David is the editor of Fertilizer Europe (FE) and Fertilizer Africa at Argus, and has also worked as a market reporter for FE and the Argus potash report. He has almost 20 years of journalism experience, a first-class bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history, and a master’s in international politics from Trinity College Dublin. He was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland,...
David is the editor of Fertilizer Europe (FE) and Fertilizer Africa at Argus, and has also worked as a market reporter for FE and the Argus potash report. He has almost 20 years of journalism experience, a first-class bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history, and a master’s in international politics from Trinity College Dublin. He was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, but has lived in London for the past six years. His interests include the natural sciences, philosophy, politics, history, geography, economics, sport, and using commas.
Luuk Hagting
Fertilizer Purchaser, Agrifirm NWE
Luuk specializes in grass growth for roughage, seeking fertilizer solutions from the perspective of a farmer. He focuses on adding value to fertilizers through modification or smart combinations of the product, and through intensive marketing.
Luuk specializes in grass growth for roughage, seeking fertilizer solutions from the perspective of a farmer. He focuses on adding value to fertilizers through modification or smart combinations of the product, and through intensive marketing.
Matthew Lisley
Manager - Consulting, Argus
Matt is responsible for bespoke consulting in phosphates, potash and NPKs, and has delivered projects for some of the largest fertilizer companies worldwide. He is also the author of Argus NPK Analytics and has an MSci in geology from Imperial College London.
Matt is responsible for bespoke consulting in phosphates, potash and NPKs, and has delivered projects for some of the largest fertilizer companies worldwide. He is also the author of Argus NPK Analytics and has an MSci in geology from Imperial College London.
Lilian Tu
Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation
Patrice Annequin
Senior Fertilizer Market Specialist, IFDC
Patrice Annequin is a fertilizer market information specialist and agro-economist with over 30 years of experience in private sector and agricultural input market development in sub-Saharan Africa.
He has expertise in agricultural input marketing, regulations and policies, institutional development and organizational strengthening, market studies and assessments, and cap...
Patrice Annequin is a fertilizer market information specialist and agro-economist with over 30 years of experience in private sector and agricultural input market development in sub-Saharan Africa.
He has expertise in agricultural input marketing, regulations and policies, institutional development and organizational strengthening, market studies and assessments, and capacity building of producer and trader organizations.
Annequin joined IFDC in 2001, led the information unit of the USAID-funded MISTOWA project unit from 2004 to 2008, before initiating in 2009 and piloting AfricaFertilizer.org, a global portal on fertilizer production, trade, consumption, and price statistics in Africa, in partnership with IFA, FAO, the African Union, among others.
After joining the Feed the Future EnGRAIS project in 2018, he took over as its director in 2022, with the main mission of building a more competitive, inclusive and private sector-led West African fertilizer market.
Annequin holds a master's degree in economics and sociology of sustainable development from AgroParisTech (France).
