Recruiting and developing leaders for organizations that feed the world and keep it healthy

Leveraging an unmatched network to place executives who drive results

Providing insight and candor to deliver a leader as specialized as your work

Food & Ag: No search firm knows the industries better than we do. Our reputation proves it.

Introduction to Kincannon & Reed

Food and agriculture: industries as unique as the people who lead them.
And no one knows them like we do.

We’re Kincannon & Reed, a global executive search and leadership development firm exclusively serving organizations within the food and agriculture industries.

Our approach is different

With 40 years of experience across diverse international sectors, we know the caliber of leaders needed to shape a promising future for the food and agriculture industries.

We’ve sat in your chair.

Empty seats at your leadership table or ineffective executives hurt profits, morale, and market share. Our principals are well-networked, former industry executives who understand your priorities and the talent you seek.  We advise you as a colleague or peer, rather than an outsider.

Learn Who We Are

Knowing your next leader is our job.

We are a team of search professionals serving clients focused on feeding the world and keeping it healthy.  We leverage our deep industry knowledge, data, and connections to identify and place leaders with the right experiences, values, and cultural fit.

Learn Who We Serve

Providing search expertise and more

Our search professionals partner with you throughout the process. We ask questions, listen for understanding, and assess candidates from the informed perspective of former executives. We have a genuine interest in your organization’s next leader. 

Learn What We Do
Impressive track record of placing candidates who succeed

240+

executive placements across the globe in the last two years

93%

of candidates placed remain with the client through the first year

2x

likelihood of 3-year candidate retention compared to search industry averages

Serving clients who feed the world and keep it healthy.

We’re a firm with a focus – specializing in delivering leaders. Our clients from across the globe are all types and sizes of organizations. If food and agriculture are part of your business model, we have principals with experience and connections in your industry.
Who We Serve
Ag Technology & Inputs
Capital & Investment
Distribution, Retail & Food Service
Food & Beverage Consumer Products
Industry Associations & Non-Profit
Processors
Production
Research Development & Safety
Sustainable Solutions

Ag Technology & Inputs

The use of technology with the aim of improving efficiency and profitability. Businesses in this sector include:

  • Animal Health & Nutrition
  • Crop Protection & Nutrition
  • Data Analytics, Digitization & AI
  • Equipment, Robotics, Remote Imagination & Automation
  • Soil Health
  • Vertical Farming

Capital & Investment

Businesses that fund and invest in the industry including:

  • Asset Management
  • Global and Regional Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Venture Capital

Distribution, Retail & Food Service

The variety of companies, organizations and programs that collect food from processors and manufacturers, store it in warehouses, and then distribute it to stores and restaurants. Organizations that we have worked with are in the following segments

  • E-Commerce
  • Food Service
  • Grocery
  • Restaurants

Food & Beverage Consumer Products

The use of technology with the aim of providing better input solutions, and improving efficiency and profitability. Businesses in this segment include:

  • Bakery & Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Confections
  • Dairy
  • Meat Products
  • Nutrition
  • Packaged Foods
  • Pet Food
  • Seafood

Industry Associations & Non-Profit

Organizations serving people across the food value chain, sharing ideas, and addressing global issues. Some of those organizations include:

  • Foundations
  • Industry Associations
  • NGOs & IGOs
  • Research Centers/Institutes
  • Universities

Processors

Transforming, packaging, sorting, or grading livestock, agricultural commodities, or plants into goods that are used for intermediate or final consumption. Businesses in this segment include:

  • Crushers
  • Flavours, Fragrances & Naturals
  • Food Ingredients
  • Food Processors
  • Meat Protein
  • Millers
  • Refiners

Production

The use of cultivated plants or animals to produce products for sustaining or enhancing human life. Businesses in this segment include:

  • Aquaculture
  • Biotechnology
  • Cellular Meat
  • Crops (Row & Permanent)
  • Floriculture
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
  • Livestock
  • Plant Based Proteins
  • Produce

Research Development & Safety

The broad range of activities and potential innovations that increase benefits, address challenges, and ultimately deliver safe and healthy options for consumers. The business we’ve worked with in this segment include:

  • Alternative Proteins
  • Biologicals
  • Diagnostics
  • Food Safety
  • Genetics
  • Supply Chain Technologies
  • Traits

Sustainable Solutions

Innovation and implementation of environmentally responsible business practices from field to table. Companies and areas of focus include:

  • Bio-Packaging
  • Biomaterials
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Water Technologies

Our Team

With team members around the world, we’re large enough to bring the right expertise while small enough to be nimble and responsive. The work we do with you is more than sourcing talent, it’s about relationships.

Meet the Team

Looking for your next opportunity?

If you would like to join our network of executive candidates, we would like to hear from you.

Click Here to Connect

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Caroline Petit to Director, APAC. In her new role, Caroline will…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

As Released by Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) has announced the appointment of Jenny…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Enterprise leadership is not a continuation of functional success; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders create impact. For much…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Griffin to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Griffin will…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

In today’s highly competitive market for executive talent, attracting the right leaders requires more than a compelling role or competitive compensation.…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Why succession planning in APAC requires a different leadership approach By K&R Managing Partner Phillip Osborne Succession is the most personal…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Mitch Poindexter has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Climalock, a leading provider of insulated containment systems serving fire protection, water…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Reflections from GAI Australia 2026 By Phillip Osborne, K&R Managing Partner Capital creates opportunity. Leadership is what captures it. That thought…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

The leadership costs of indecision In leadership, delay can feel responsible. It can look like prudence, careful analysis, or simply giving…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

And the four things the best funds do differently By Phil Osborne, K&R Managing Partner I’ve watched the same failure replay…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

First Quarter 2026: An analysis of market conditions, leadership demand, and executive talent dynamics across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

AN EVOLVING TALENT MARKET The senior leadership market is deeper than many realise, but availability is constraining abundance, and accessibility does…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

AN EVOLVING TALENT MARKET The senior leadership market is deeper than many realize, but availability is restricting abundance, and accessibility does…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

CCI Prime has appointed Jamie Broad as Chief Financial Officer, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

As Released by RISE RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® announces the hiring of its next leader Scott Herndon, who…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Chad Huyser has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ritchie Industries, a leading manufacturer of livestock watering solutions and a portfolio…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

By Managing Director Jon Lowe At this year’s Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, one signal stood out clearly: Animal agtech companies are…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

Across food and agriculture, organizations are investing more intentionally in identifying high-potential talent as part of strengthening their leadership pipelines for…

Read the Full Announcement

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

The leaders we place prove the quality of our work. The knowledge of our experts provides the insight you need to attract the right candidates.

What We Know

Kincannon & Reed Promotes Caroline Petit to Director, APAC

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Caroline Petit to Director, APAC. In her new role, Caroline will…

Keep Reading

K&R Places President at Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association

As Released by Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) has announced the appointment of Jenny…

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Why Experience Alone Stops Working at the Enterprise Level

Enterprise leadership is not a continuation of functional success; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders create impact. For much…

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Kincannon & Reed Announces Kelly Griffin as Chief Operating Officer

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Griffin to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Griffin will…

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What Top Executive Candidates Evaluate Before Joining a Leadership Team

In today’s highly competitive market for executive talent, attracting the right leaders requires more than a compelling role or competitive compensation.…

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The Succession Conversation That Most Family Ag Businesses Leave Too Late

Why succession planning in APAC requires a different leadership approach By K&R Managing Partner Phillip Osborne Succession is the most personal…

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K&R Places Mitch Poindexter as Chief Executive Officer of Climalock

Mitch Poindexter has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Climalock, a leading provider of insulated containment systems serving fire protection, water…

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The Leadership Question Behind Australia’s Agricultural Opportunity

Reflections from GAI Australia 2026 By Phillip Osborne, K&R Managing Partner Capital creates opportunity. Leadership is what captures it. That thought…

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The Hidden Risks of Waiting Too Long on Leadership Decisions

The leadership costs of indecision In leadership, delay can feel responsible. It can look like prudence, careful analysis, or simply giving…

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Why PE-Backed Ag Companies Keep Getting Leadership Wrong

And the four things the best funds do differently By Phil Osborne, K&R Managing Partner I’ve watched the same failure replay…

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Leadership Market Perspectives: ANZ & Southeast Asia

First Quarter 2026: An analysis of market conditions, leadership demand, and executive talent dynamics across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia…

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2026 Q1 Talent Trends and Implications in EMEA

AN EVOLVING TALENT MARKET The senior leadership market is deeper than many realise, but availability is constraining abundance, and accessibility does…

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2026 Q1 Talent Trends and Implications

AN EVOLVING TALENT MARKET The senior leadership market is deeper than many realize, but availability is restricting abundance, and accessibility does…

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CFO at CCI Prime Placed by K&R

CCI Prime has appointed Jamie Broad as Chief Financial Officer, bringing on a seasoned finance leader to support the company’s next…

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RISE partners with K&R on Executive Director Search

As Released by RISE RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® announces the hiring of its next leader Scott Herndon, who…

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Kincannon & Reed Places Chief Executive Officer of Ritchie Industries

Chad Huyser has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ritchie Industries, a leading manufacturer of livestock watering solutions and a portfolio…

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Animal AgTech Is Moving from Innovation to Adoption and Leadership Expectations Are Shifting with It

By Managing Director Jon Lowe At this year’s Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, one signal stood out clearly: Animal agtech companies are…

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Preparing High-Potential Leaders for Enterprise Leadership in Food and Agriculture

Across food and agriculture, organizations are investing more intentionally in identifying high-potential talent as part of strengthening their leadership pipelines for…

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Modern corporate skyline representing networking opportunities for food and agriculture leaders

Upcoming Networking Opportunities

Connect with leaders in our industry through online and in-person events and leverage their insight for your organization.
Learn More

About Kincannon & Reed

Kincannon & Reed is a global executive search and leadership development firm that works exclusively within the food and agriculture industries. We recruit and develop the leaders who run organizations that feed the world and keep it healthy — from production agriculture, agtech, and animal health to food manufacturing, ingredients, and agribusiness investment.

Our consultants have sat in operating roles across the value chain, which lets us assess senior talent with the industry context that generalist firms lack. We place chief executives, chief financial officers, functional C-suite leaders, and board directors for companies, cooperatives, associations, and investors around the world, and we support those leaders after placement through executive coaching, leadership assessment, and succession planning.