Recent months have seen a noticeable increase in our smaller tech-focussed members seeking a seasoned CEO to help lead early-stage ventures through their next round of fundraising, or to bring commercial acumen and contacts to the business.
The challenges in sourcing labour in agriculture and horticulture are well-documented, but this month we are reflecting on the opportunity to attract experience and talent into the boardroom – as well as the field, pack-house or abattoir.
Need for Cs
This spike in the “need for Cs” can be considered an indicator of the success of the many agri-tech accelerator programmes and the efforts in Universities and research institutes to commercialise their research by spinning it out into new businesses.
As a result good CEOs with experience and a good network are in ever-greater demand.
While this is a nice problem to have (if you are a seasoned CEO!) it is proving something of a problem for the industry. SMEs are vital engines of innovation, but this needs sound leadership to bring good ideas to commercial reality or fruitful partnerships.
This isn’t a new phenomenon – the more mature pharmaceutical industry took many years before the emergence of the “serial” CEOs with a track record of securing investment and growing small businesses.
Opportunity for part-time CEO
Some companies are happy to have a part-time CEO – perhaps providing the opportunity for a portfolio career for someone looking to widen their interests and apply their talents across more than one business. Others are looking for a leader to perhaps succeed the innovator-founder and take the business to its next commercial inflection point.
There are some shining exceptions where experienced industry grandees are heading up new and growing UK agri-tech businesses, either in an executive or non-exec or advisory function.
But we need more of these individuals. Many more.
Increasingly we are seeing leaders from other sectors coming into agriculture to head up some of these businesses. While not professing to have the technical background of the founder CEO, they will bring vital experience of growing companies in other sectors, and potentially a background in finance or investment.
Less need for technical knowledge
As the technologies serving agriculture and horticulture are becoming increasingly multi-disciplinary, the need for significant technical knowledge is less critical at the C-Level in a business. Indeed, bringing knowledge from other sectors, alongside commercial experience – may even be a benefit to a growing agri-tech business.
As companies begin to turn towards the agri-good sector as a new market opportunity, so their leadership is ready to be inspired and attracted to helping to build companies which can help deliver on a food security and a net zero agenda – which sits at the heart of a lot of agri-tech endeavours.
There is a long-list of businesses seeking CEOs – so if you’re up for the challenge we’d be delighted to connect you and suggest other talent pools to explore.
The talent is out there to lead the next generation of businesses – just not where you might traditionally be looking.
Don’t forget our Opportunity Zone features a range of roles, from Executive to Non Executive – you may just find your next role!