The rest of the 100: Alex Steel, head of Syngenta Ventures
Alex Steel took over leadership of Switzerland-based agricultural company Syngenta’s corporate venturing unit at the beginning of 2012. He moved to the role having been a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) project leader at Syngenta, where he has worked since 2009.
Before this Steel was at UK-based accountancy firm Grant Thornton from the beginning of 2000.
He said in an interview for 2012’s Powerlist: “At Grant Thornton I was either buying or selling mid-market family-owned companies or entrepreneurial businesses. The logic behind my branching out into the corporate world was rather than getting transactions done and moving, I wanted to see how in the long term M&A can drive and develop the business.”
He added: “I am a chartered accountant by background and a finance guy by heart.” He has previously worked at accountancy firm Rawlinsons. He studied economics and geography at University of Portsmouth.
He said in an interview for 2012’s Powerlist: “At Grant Thornton I was either buying or selling mid-market family-owned companies or entrepreneurial businesses. The logic behind my branching out into the corporate world was rather than getting transactions done and moving, I wanted to see how in the long term M&A can drive and develop the business.”
He added: “I am a chartered accountant by background and a finance guy by heart.” He has previously worked at accountancy firm Rawlinsons. He studied economics and geography at University of Portsmouth.
What is the future of your sector?
Steel said: “Agriculture is attracting global attention as the impact of food insecurity is felt around the world. The need to accelerate the rate of innovation in agriculture has never been stronger.
Venture capital is playing an increasingly prominent role in supporting this and some of the recent high-profile exits have demonstrated that attractive financial returns can be achieved. Expect to see increasing venture capital activity in this sector.”
Steel said: “Agriculture is attracting global attention as the impact of food insecurity is felt around the world. The need to accelerate the rate of innovation in agriculture has never been stronger.
Venture capital is playing an increasingly prominent role in supporting this and some of the recent high-profile exits have demonstrated that attractive financial returns can be achieved. Expect to see increasing venture capital activity in this sector.”
