Key Takeaways
- Pure Harvest Smart Farms, an agribusiness pioneer based in the UAE, has announced three key senior executive appointments.
- Adrian Almeida, formerly of Sensei Ag, is named the first Chief Operating Officer.
- Dr. Josef Schmidhuber, with extensive experience in organizations like OECD and FAO, joins as Chief Sustainability Officer.
- Andrew Bolter, previously with RA International Group plc, is the new Chief Financial Officer.
- The appointments signify Pure Harvest’s commitment to strategic growth and expansion in the AgriTech sector of the MENA region.
Pure Harvest Smart Farms (Pure Harvest), a front-runner in sustainable, tech-enabled farming based in the UAE, is entering a new era of strategic growth, marked by the introduction of three senior executive figures with proven global credentials.
Adrian Almeida, coming from his role in the US-based AgriTech Smart Farming company Sensei Ag, co-founded by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and renowned physician-scientist Dr. David Agus, will be stepping in as Pure Harvest’s inaugural Chief Operating Officer. His experience in North America’s market growth as COO and Chief Innovation Officer at Sensei Ag will prove invaluable.
Lending his vast international knowledge, Dr. Josef Schmidhuber is welcomed as the Chief Sustainability Officer. His impressive resume includes stints at global institutions such as the OECD, FAO, IPCC, World Bank, and European Investment Bank. Dr. Schmidhuber, an alumnus of the Technical University of Munich, brings to the table his extensive research, showcased in top-tier journals like Nature and Science.
Lastly, Andrew Bolter takes the reins as Chief Financial Officer. Bolter, known for his instrumental role as CFO and board member at RA International Group plc, successfully guided the company to list on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2018.
Expressing his enthusiasm about these strategic appointments, Sky Kurtz, the CEO and founder of Pure Harvest, stated, “The joining of Adrian, Josef, and Andrew represents not only a tremendous leap for Pure Harvest but also indicates the growing prominence of the AgriTech sector in the MENA region.” Kurtz emphasized the crucial role of these senior figures in scaling the business and reaching more global markets.
Founded in 2018, Pure Harvest began with the production of tomatoes but has since expanded its portfolio to include many produce varieties, all cultivated in the challenging UAE climate. The company’s innovation has not gone unnoticed. Post their association with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Pure Harvest secured its place as the most funded startup in the Middle East, as reported by Forbes, with a whopping USD 387 million raised.
About the Appointees:
- Adrian Almeida: With over 20 years in sectors ranging from AgriTech to Chemicals, Almeida’s leadership roles have spanned continents and industries. His academic credentials include an MBA and additional studies at prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School.
- Dr. Josef Schmidhuber: Beginning his journey at the World Food Council, Schmidhuber has engaged in significant roles with global institutions. His research interests span from climate change to global commodity markets.
- Andrew Bolter: Before joining Pure Harvest, Bolter honed his expertise at Ernst & Young in Canada and the UAE. He holds multiple chartered qualifications and completed his undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada.
About Pure Harvest Smart Farms:
At the heart of the UAE, Pure Harvest Smart Farms stands as a beacon of sustainable and innovative farming. With the MEASA region’s first commercial-scale, high-tech hybrid growing system, they aim to tackle regional challenges like food security and water conservation head-on. Their vision encompasses the production of premium-quality fresh fruits and vegetables, available year-round, promoting sustainability and food security.
Image provided by Pure Harvest
