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Douwe brings a wealth of experience in the seed industry. Initially trained in business economics, he executed different management positions at the Dutch Natural Gas Corporation and at AgrEvo Benelux in Germany. He joined Nunhems Group (later Bayer Crop Science Vegetable Seeds) as Chief Financial Officer in 1998 and served 10 years as Chief Executive Officer until 2013. After that, he became Chief Executive Officer at Incotec Group, the seed enhancement company.

Douwe has held a number of non-executive board positions in different seed and agro companies. He also served on the board of seed associations such as Plantum and the International Seed Federation. He provides advice to Temasek on agri-related activities. 

Half his life has been spent traveling, visiting vegetable fields and growers all over the world. He has a passion for seeds, for strategic planning and people development, and he strongly believes in East-West Seed’s mission to improve smallholder farmers' income. 

Douwe is married to Wia and has three grown-up children living with their partners in the Netherlands. He recently welcomed a beautiful granddaughter.