IBMA welcomes Jennifer Lewis as its new Executive Director

BRUSSELS, Belgium:  David Cary, the Executive Director of the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Assocation IBMA, announced today that his successor is Jennifer Lewis, former Head of Innovation and Development for IBMA Member Certis Europe. Lewis is passionate about the biocontrol industry and has been involved in our association as Vice Chair of IBMA UK.

Almost ten years ago, David Cary took up the challenge to establish a professional secretariat and make the voice of the biocontrol industry stronger in a changing agricultural world needing innovations and solutions with low-impact on health and environment. Since then IBMA has advanced a lot and can now rely on a dynamic and passionate team, that will continue to work hard for our industry, alongside his successor Jennifer Lewis. The choice of a successor involved a long recruitment process and attracted several high-level candidates.

“I have known Jennifer since 2005, she showed me then her passion for the business as well as that tenacious streak. Having seen her working in her company and in IBMA UK, I am sure that she will bring to the role the blend of experience, knowledge of the business and the technical elements as well as a shared passion for our industry,” underlines David Cary, who will still be working for the association in transition, at least until the end of the year.

Jennifer has worked in crop protection since she graduated, including testing the environmental effects of pesticides in Brazil, US and Australia and latterly in various marketing, regulatory and stewardship roles in US and Europe.

Prior to IBMA, Jennifer Lewis was Head of Innovation and Development for IBMA Member Certis Europe and part of their Management Board. Certis Europe is a company involved since many years in biocontrol with a large portfolio including products from all biocontrol four groups Microbials, Macroorganisms, Natural Substances and Semiochemicals.

Jennifer was responsible for the development and previously registration of Certis’ portfolio in Europe as well as already involved in IBMA as Vice Chairman of the UK branch of our association. Furthermore, Jennifer has worked on building the Certis Europe range of biocontrol products integrating them into IPM systems. She has advocated for the practicalities of reducing reliance on pesticides, while retaining agricultural yields.

Between 2005 and 2009 Jennifer was General Manager of former IBMA Member Biological Crop Protection Ltd, a beneficial insect production company selling beneficial insects for pest control throughout Europe and a subsidiary of Mitsui and Co the majority stakeholder of Certis Europe.

The International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association represents the biological pest management industry. Augmentative biological control utilises beneficial insects, mites and nematodes to manage agricultural, horticultural and plant pests.