June 3, 2021

Roslin Technologies Names Ernst van Orsouw as CEO in commercialisation drive

Roslin Technologies, the UK’s fast growing biotechnology and agribusiness innovator, is pleased to announce that Ernst van Orsouw has joined as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company as it accelerates the commercialisation of cutting-edge technology solutions for the food, agriculture and veterinary sectors.

Mr van Orsouw joins from animal genetics pioneer Genus Plc where he was Global Director of Strategy and Marketing at its porcine division, Pig Improvement Company (PIC). At Roslin Technologies, where he takes over from Executive Director and Founder Glen Illing, he’ll drive the strategic agenda as the company moves from focusing on technological innovations to deploying those advances through sales and partnership agreements.

Roslin Technologies, which works closely with the Roslin Institute, home of world-famous Dolly the Sheep, has developed a world-leading animal stem cell platform for cultivated meat production, alongside cutting-edge genomic breeding techniques. It also exploits the same platform technologies to provide a range of solutions in animal health.

A short-term focus for the company will be the securing of commercial agreements from cultivated meat companies eager to use its growing portfolio of stem cell lines. Roslin Technologies’ central role in the sector’s future development will ensure that the world can meet growing protein demands whilst protecting against the environmental impact of increased food production.

Van Orsouw has over 15 years’ experience in agribusiness, initially at Boston Consulting Group and more recently at PIC, where he led on a series of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, across the animal breeding and genetics sectors. He was also an executive committee member of the board of the Center for Food Integrity, a global not-for-profit organisation with a mission to build consumer trust in the world’s rapidly changing food systems.

Commenting on his appointment, Ernst van Orsouw said:

“Roslin Technologies is the jewel in the crown of Scottish and British Agribusiness, and I am excited to join at this stage in the company’s growth. Over the last few years, the company has built a world-class scientific platform that can fundamentally disrupt key areas of the AgTech industry.

“The commercial potential of Roslin Technologies’ offerings can now be brought to market, from proprietary stem cell lines for cultivated meat and animal health, to genomic breeding programmes for insects and traditional livestock.”

Prof. Andy Porter, Chairman of the board of Roslin Technologies, commented:

“As a global company, we undertook an extensive worldwide search for the right person to lead the next exciting stage of growth. Ernst, with his deep understanding of the sector and multiple connections around the world, is ideally placed to enable Roslin Technologies to reach its undoubted potential as a global influencer; capable of matching food production levels needed to feed a global population with the critical requirement to achieve this goal, without placing undue burden on our precious natural environment.

“With the academic backing of the Roslin Institute and the University of Edinburgh, we can now focus on commercialising the technologies we have developed, which will help shape the future-food ecosystem, and allow us to produce food in a responsible way.”

About Roslin Technologies

Roslin Technologies is one of the UK’s leading agribusiness growth prospects. A partnership between academia and the investment community, it works closely with the world-famous Roslin Institute and University of Edinburgh. The company is focused on meeting the protein needs of the planet through innovative solutions in cultivated meat and breeding programmes, while at the same time aiding animal welfare through animal health solutions. Founded in 2016 with investment from JBI Equity and Milltrust International, it has invested heavily in developing its suite of technology solutions, many of which are now ready for commercial development, and has built extensive commercial relations with companies across Europe, the US and Asia.

The company is particularly focused on the sustainability of food development and manufacture and its business helps target six of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals including Zero hungerGood health and well-being, and Climate action.

More information on other members of our executive team and board of directors can be found here on our website.

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Roslin Technologies Limited
Roslin Technologies Limited
Roslin Innovation Centre, Easter Bush Campus
University of Edinburgh, Midlothian
EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
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