Fertilizer International 531 Mar-Apr 2026

20 March 2026
People
People
Shri Shivakumar Subramaniam became the new chair and managing director of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) Limited on 13th February 2026.

Shri started his career with RCF in 1998 as a senior finance officer and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and an MBA in finance. During more than 27 years of fertilizer industry experience, he has held positions of responsibility in business areas such as treasury, taxation, corporate accounts, corporate financial strategy, fertilizer policy and subsidies, and ministry co-ordination. He has also been actively associated with project evaluation, project financing and joint venture investments.
Itafos Inc appointed Joseph McConnell to its board of directors on 16th January 2026. He is the nominee of the company’s principal shareholder, CL Fertilizers Holding LLC (CLF). Mr McConnell is a partner and deputy co-chief investment officer at Castlelake, an affiliate of CLF. He replaces Isaiah Toback.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Joe to the Board of Directors. His experience and expertise will strengthen the Board’s ability to provide oversight and guidance, bringing valuable skills and new perspectives as the Company advances its business objectives and strategic initiatives,” said Anthony Cina, chair of the company’s board of directors.
“On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Isaiah for his contributions to the Company,” Mr Cina added.
BASF has announced a new management board for its Agricultural Solutions division. The move comes ahead of its spin-off as a separate company and its initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The new management board will be operative from 1st May 2026 and will lead Agricultural Solutions through its transition to an independent, publicly listed company. It will comprise of four members:
• Sascha Bibert will join BASF Agricultural Solutions from Vallourec SA and will be in charge of finance.
• Maximilian Becker, Senior Vice President Vegetable Seeds, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will be in charge of business.
• Dr Melanie Bausen-Wiens, Senior Vice President Regulatory, Stewardship & Public Affairs, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will be in charge of technology.
• Dr Livio Tedeschi, President, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will assume overall responsibility as the head of the management board.
Dr Tedeschi will also become member of the board of executive directors of BASF SE with responsibility for the Agricultural Solutions segment. Commenting on these appointments and the company spin-off, he said:
“For over a century, Agricultural Solutions has supported farmers and breeders with innovations that help them grow their crops to their full potential. As we move forward as a fully integrated company with proven strengths in crop protection, seeds and traits, digital farming, and sustainability, we are uniquely positioned to serve evolving customer needs, while continuing to advance agriculture and create sustainable, resilient food systems for generations to come. Together with the new Management Board and our teams worldwide, we will turn our strategy and vision into reality – opening a new chapter for our business to become publicly listed.”
BASF says the separation of Agricultural Solutions will “establish the standalone business as an independent, pure-play agricultural company with global reach, robust growth prospects and strong cash flow generation”. It will remain the majority shareholder and therefore continue to benefit from the new company’s growth and success.
Grupa Azoty has dismissed its CEO Andrzej Skolmowski. He had been in the job less than one year, having originally been appointed in June 2025.
Skolmowski was removed from his role as president of the company’s management board on 12th February, along with vice presidents Paweł Bielski and Andrzej Dawidowski. Grupa Azoty’s vice-chair, Aleksandra MachowiczJaworska, will now act as temporary president of the management board for up to three months until a replacement CEO is found.

