The Protein Brewery announced a leadership change with the appointment of Thijs Bosch as its new CEO, succeeding Sue Garfitt, who will transition into a non-executive role. This shift follows the company’s recent Series A fundraising and marks a strategic transition as the company advances its operations and market presence.
Thijs Bosch brings over 15 years of experience in the food ingredients sector, particularly in plant-based protein markets. Prior to joining The Protein Brewery, he held senior leadership positions at Cosun, where he spearheaded the development and scaling of plant protein initiatives, and at Fonterra, a dairy ingredients company, serving most recently as Managing Director Europe.
Building on a strong foundation
Bosch stated, “I am honored to join The Protein Brewery at this pivotal stage. Sue and the team have built a strong platform with the potential to transform our food system. I look forward to building on that foundation and unlocking our next chapter of growth.”
Under Garfitt’s leadership, The Protein Brewery completed several key milestones, including the first product sales in the United States, regulatory approval for its Fermotein® ingredient in Singapore, and the commissioning of its Mijkenbroek production facility. Garfitt joined the company shortly after its Series A funding round and focused on establishing product-market fit, manufacturing capabilities, capital acquisition, and team development.
Ready for next leap
Garfitt commented on her departure, “I’ve had the privilege of leading The Protein Brewery through its first stage of scale-up. With the fundraising round nearing completion and the team ready for the next leap, this is a natural moment for me to begin a new chapter in my professional life, pursuing a non-executive career and handing the reins of The Protein Brewery to a new CEO.”
Investor confidence in the company’s direction was noted by Thomas Grotkjær, lead investor at Novo Holdings. He remarked, “Sue has laid an exceptional foundation, and we’re grateful for her leadership and dedication to ensure a smooth transition. Thijs’ appointment marks the acceleration of the next phase — one focused on adding scale and developing more partnerships.”
Entering a new phase
The Protein Brewery operates in the emerging plant-based protein ingredients market, leveraging fermentation technology to produce its Fermotein® product. The leadership transition comes as the company prepares to expand its commercial footprint and deepen industry partnerships.
Both outgoing and incoming CEOs expressed appreciation for the support from investors and teams throughout the transition. The company now enters a new phase with Bosch at the helm, tasked with scaling production and commercial adoption in an increasingly competitive market.
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