(Bayer.com)

Bayer under investor pressure to speed up CEO changeover

Drug and chem firm's stock in 'crisis of trust,' investor says

Frankfurt | Reuters — A top-10 shareholder in Bayer on Tuesday called on the group’s supervisory board to replace CEO Werner Baumann quickly, adding to investor pressure to restore trust and revive the German drugmaker’s sagging share price. Despite recent improvements in the company’s agriculture business and drug development prospects, Bayer shares have been weighed […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Cargill names new CEO

Former proteins boss to lead firm

Reuters — Cargill Inc. said on Monday Brian Sikes will take over as the global commodities trader’s new president and CEO effective Jan. 1. Sikes will succeed Dave MacLennan, who has served as Cargill’s CEO and chairman since 2013. MacLennan will now assume the role of executive chair of Cargill’s board of directors and will […] Read more

Nutrien’s head office building in Saskatoon. (Liam O’Connor photo)

Nutrien’s interim CEO named CEO

Seitz sees 'a lot of uncertainty' continuing in market

Reuters — Canada’s Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest potash fertilizer producer, named Ken Seitz as chief executive on Monday, removing the interim tag. Nutrien in January surprised investors by replacing its CEO for the second time in eight months. It then named Seitz, the head of its potash business, as interim CEO, replacing Mayo Schmidt. […] Read more

Tracy Robinson. (TCEnergy.com)

CN names new CEO, easing tussle with investor

Former CP executive Tracy Robinson returns to rail

Reuters — Canadian National Railway on Tuesday named industry veteran Tracy Robinson as its new chief executive officer, soothing a months-long tussle with its second-largest shareholder over leadership at the railroad operator. Robinson will replace Jean-Jacques Ruest, who announced his decision to step down from the role in October following investor demands for his exit […] Read more

Mayo Schmidt, shown here speaking in Winnipeg in 2007, has “left his position” as Nutrien’s CEO and resigned from its board, the company said Jan. 4. (Dave Bedard file photo)

Nutrien makes surprise CEO switch again despite strong profits

Abrupt change 'mighty perplexing' to analysts

Reuters — Canada’s Nutrien, the world’s biggest fertilizer producer by capacity, surprised investors by replacing its chief executive on Tuesday for the second time in eight months, even as the company rakes in strong profits. Nutrien said in a statement it named Ken Seitz, the head of its potash business, as interim chief executive after […] Read more


File photo of a CN locomotive in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Vena withdraws as candidate for CN CEO role

Reuters — Canadian National Railway said on Monday Jim Vena, who was backed by a group of investors to lead the country’s largest railway operator, had pulled out of the running to serve as its new chief. Shares of CN fell as much as 6.5 per cent on the news. The former Union Pacific executive […] Read more

Mayo Schmidt, shown here in Winnipeg in 2007, has been named CEO of Nutrien. (Dave Bedard file photo)

Ex-Viterra chief Schmidt named Nutrien’s new CEO

Chuck Magro stepping down for 'new opportunities'

Canadian fertilizer and ag retail giant Nutrien has tapped a familiar name in agribusiness to lead the company, as the CEO it’s had since birth steps aside. Saskatoon-based Nutrien said Monday its board has named its current chairman, Mayo Schmidt, as the company’s new CEO. Replacing Schmidt as Nutrien’s chair is Russ Girling, former CEO […] Read more

Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon. (File photo)

Pulse weekly outlook: Pulse Canada CEO retiring

MarketsFarm — After nearly 24 years at the helm of Pulse Canada, Gordon Bacon is retiring as the organization’s chief executive officer. Bacon was Pulse Canada’s first hire and has been its CEO since its inception. “It sounds like a story, but on my first day on the job, I went out and bought a […] Read more


The logo and trading info for Corteva Agriscience displayed on the New York Stock Exchange in New York.  Photo: Reuters/Brendan McDermid

Investor nominates directors for Corteva, aims to oust CEO

Reuters — Activist investor Starboard Value LP said on Thursday it has nominated eight directors to the board of Corteva, seeking to oust its chief executive officer and take control of the pesticide and seed maker. Starboard, in its letter to Corteva’s chairman, said it had identified someone new for the top job, but declined […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Merged Manitoba crop groups qualify for checkoffs

Manitoba Crop Alliance also names top brass

The new unit formed from the merger of five Manitoba crop commodity organizations is set to begin collecting checkoffs for its founding groups’ crops, starting Aug. 1. The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) announced Monday it now has its designation under the provincial Agricultural Producers’ Organization Funding Act. The designation allows the new organization to collect […] Read more