Bayer Cropscience Leudal centre

The firm's centre in Leudal, Holland

Bayer CropScience has appointed three new members to its executive committee.

The company's management team will, as of January 1, include Marc Reichardt as head of agricultural commercial operations, Bernd Naaf, as head of business management and labour director, and Dr. Dirk Backhaus, as head of product supply.

CEO, Liam Condon, said: 'We have completed the appointment of these three new members to the executive committee in timely fashion so that we can continue with the successful implementation of our investment and growth strategy. We are extremely well positioned organisationally to leverage the opportunities for growth in the global agricultural market and intend to further extend our excellent business performance.'

Current head of agricultural commercial operations, Lykele van der Broek, will continue to oversee the further implementation of Bayer CropScience's market strategy until his planned retirement in mid-2014.

His successor, 51-year-old Reichardt, who is currently in charge of the Latin America region at the firm, has worked in Bayer's Crop Protection business since 1985.

Meanwhile, Naaf, 54, is moving to his new role from his position as head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, and Backhaus, 46, has been employed as head of supply chain management & strategy.

Naaf and Backhaus will take over the duties of Gavin Marchant and Achim Noack respectively, both of whom are leaving the company at the end of the year for personal reasons.