ZURICH, June 17 Reuters Seeds and pesticides maker Syngenta, the Swiss agrochemicals company planning a 10 billion initial public offering IPO, announced a new leader for its biggest business on Friday.

Jeff Rowe, now President, Global Seeds, will take over the leadership of Syngenta Crop Protection, effective July 1. The 49yearold American will replace Jon Parr, who is retiring after 35 years with the company.

The job, in charge of Syngenta39;s biggest division which made up nearly half the group39;s 28.2 billion sales in 2021, could make Rowe a frontrunner to eventually succeed Chief Executive Erik Fyrwald, aged 62.

Rowe has overseen rapid growth at the seeds business since joining Syngenta in 2016 and also led its return to profitability, the company said.

Justin Wolfe, regional director for the North America seeds business, will replace Rowe as head of global seeds at Syngenta, which competes with U.S. company Corteva and Germany39;s BASF and Bayer.

Syngenta was bought in 2017 for 43 billion by ChemChina, which was folded into Sinochem Holdings Corp last year. The parent company plans to keep a majority stake after the flotation, which it hopes to complete by the end of the year.

Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Michael Shields

Source Reuters