De Ruiter Seeds has announced that it has made two high-profile appointments, with new directors for global sales and marketing operations.

The Netherlands-based vegetable seed group, which was purchased by Monsanto Company earlier in the year, has handed Martin van der Voort and Fulvio Berton the roles of global sales director and global marketing director respectively.

The moves, which will come in effect on 1 January 2009, are part of a drive to become more market oriented and give specific attention to each role, the group said.

Mr van der Voort steps into the role following two years with the group as commercial region manager for north Europe and Japan/Korea. He has also worked at Zaadunie in Enkhuizen (now known as the S&G brand of Syngenta), Sakata Vegetables Europe and Daehnfield Flower division.

Mr Berton joined De Ruiter in July this year following a vegetable seed career spanning nearly 20 years, including a four-year stint as global strategy leader for Solanacea crops within SG (Syngenta).