Dutch-based Meatable strengthens leadership team to support expansion and product launch

Delft, the Netherlands-based Meatable, a company that is developing cultivated beef and pork, announced on Wednesday that it has appointed a number of industry leaders in key management positions.

The management induction comes after the company raised $47M (approximately €41M)  in a Series A funding round in March, 2021. According to Meatable, these appointments will help accelerate its product development and also aid in bringing its product to the market. 

New management positions

The company led the new management appointments by bringing in former Fonterra Europe & Africa president Hans Huistra as Meatable’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

Huistra started his career at a meat processing plant at Unilever. He has over 30 years of international leadership experience in the FMCG and food industry within Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the U.S. 

According to a press release, Huistra, in his new role, will focus on preparing Meatable for the commercial launch of its products. 

Hans Huistra says, “I’m thrilled to be joining Meatable, a company that is truly at the forefront of food tech innovation. The company, and its groundbreaking product, is poised to have a long-term impact on the environment and sustainable development and I am looking forward to helping bring this revolutionary food innovation product to the world.”

The company also appointed Jef Pinxteren as its  VP Development. With over 25 years of experience as a biochemist across academia and industry, Pinxteren will manage the development of the company’s product portfolio, including Meatable’s pork sausage and it’s beef product, as well as the first tastings of the products. 

Pinxteren says,  “Switching from pharma to biotech and food is a natural progression for me, as there is a lot of synergy between them and they both offer opportunities to be part of life-changing technological advancements.” 

Meatable has also appointed a new Chairman of the Board. Cees de Jong, former president and CEO of Chr. Hansen will take on the role and work closely with Meatable’s CEO Krijn de Nood and the management team. The company says that new chairman brings with him an illustrious track record that includes his role as COO of Crucell and as senior executive in global food and pharma organisations 

Cees de Jong says, “We are all aware that the current way of producing protein is unsustainable. Meatable is at an exciting inflection point in its journey to change the way we eat. I’m proud to be joining this world-class team that has the talent, drive and  technology to make a lasting, impactful contribution to building a sustainable future for the planet.”

About Meatable

Founded in 2018 by Krijn de Nood, Daan Luining, and Dr Mark Kotter, Meatable uses proprietary technology to cultivate pork and beef. The Dutch food company says that it aims to deliver “at scale, the new natural, cultivated meat that looks like, tastes like, and has the nutritional profile of traditional meat”.

Investors in the company include Dutch food, health and materials multinational DSM, and Rick Klausner, former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.        

Krijn de Nood, CEO and co-founder of Meatable, says, “These exciting hires are the ultimate vote of confidence in our mission and I look forward to working with them to bring our vision to life.”