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People

Nishant Kanodia, chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd, has been appointed to the board of directors of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA). The appointment was formalised at the IFA Annual Conference 2025 in Monaco, with the theme of ‘Investing in the Future of Food’. With approximately 500 members across more than 80 countries, IFA champions policy, innovation, and sustainable fertilizer practices that contribute to global food security.

Alzbeta Klein, CEO & Director General of IFA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nishant Kanodia to the IFA Board. India’s pivotal role in global agriculture, together with Mr. Kanodia’s visionary leadership, will be instrumental in advancing IFA’s mission for sustainable, resilient food systems worldwide.”

India’s agricultural sector has transformed a mid-20th-century food scarcity to becoming a leading global producer of staples, cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables. Through technology adoption, nutrient management, and farmer empowerment, India now plays a central role in global food security and consciously contributing to climate-resilient farming.

Speaking on his induction to the IFA board, Nishant Kanodia said: “It is a privilege to join the IFA board at a time when India is increasingly central to global food security. The need for balanced nutrient management and innovation-driven growth has never been greater. I look forward to supporting IFA’s efforts to empower farmers, protect ecosystems, and enhance productivity globally and in India.”

Under Mr. Kanodia’s leadership, Matix Fertilisers has established itself as a market leader in eastern India, with a 20% share of the region’s urea market. It produced a record 1.47 million tonnes of fertilizer in the 2024-25 fertilizer year at its facility in Panagarh, West Bengal, operating at over 115% of annual rated capacity.

Williams Companies has named Chad Zamarin to succeed Alan Armstrong as president and chief executive officer. Armstrong, who has served as the company’s chief executive for the past 14 years, will become executive chairman of the Williams board of directors, effective July 1, 2025, the company said. Zamarin, who joined the company in 2017 and has served as executive vice-president of corporate strategic development since 2023, will also join the board. Stephen Bergstrom, current chairman of the board, will transition to lead independent director.

Armstrong, who joined Williams in 1986 as an engineer, has served in various roles throughout the company, moving up to senior vice-president midstream before becoming chief executive officer in January 2011. During Armstrong’s tenure, Williams has expanded its reach and now handles one-third of all US natural gas volumes through gathering, processing, transportation, and storage services, the company said in a press release.

Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas giant Petrobras has confirmed that Magda Chambriard will be the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Chambriard was nominated by Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to replace Jean Paul Terra Prates, the company’s former CEO, who stepped down from his positions as CEO and member of the board of directors. With a Master’s degree in chemical engineering and a degree in civil engineering, Chambriand specializes in reservoir engineering and formation evaluation, coupled with oil and gas production. After working at Petrobras for 22 years, she was assigned to the Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) as an advisor to the Exploration and Production Directorate in 2002. Six years later, she assumed the position of Director at ANP, moving on to become General Director in 2012.