Malcolm Thomas
Jean Scheftsik de Szolnok
Dr. Silke Birlenbach
Marc de Beer
David Hallas
Michael Balz
Dave Ross
Ben Shaw
Benjamin Shaw is the president and chief executive officer of Covetrus. Previously, he served as the CEO, president, and co-founder of Vets First Choice for nearly 8 years. Ben also cofounded private investment partnership Black Point Group, where he was a partner for 14 years. He holds a B.A. in biology, political science, and environmental studies from Bates College.
Jean-Luc Michel
After graduating from the University of Pharmacy of Lyon with a Doctorate and from EM Lyon Business School with an MBA, Jean-Luc Michel started his career by creating his own consultancy company. He joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1991 spending 10 years developing a solid expertise in consumer healthcare and nutrition. During this period, he held a variety of senior marketing and sales management positions in France at Monsanto (Searle) and at Johnson&Johnson / Merck & Co where he was an Executive Committee member of the French subsidiary.
In 2001, Jean-Luc joined Merial, a leader in the animal health industry, where he held some key senior roles, such as EMEA Marketing Director of the Companion Animal Global Enterprise; Head of Marketing EMEA; Executive Marketing Director (Pet Business) in the US; VP, Head of Pet Vet Business Unit; and in 2016 joined the Executive Committee of Merial as Head of Global Commercial Development.
After the acquisition of Merial by Boehringer Ingelheim, Jean-Luc was appointed Head of Global Companion Animal Strategic Business Unit and became a member of the Executive Committee of the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit.
Justin Sherrard
As Global Strategist Animal Protein, Justin Sherrard is responsible for the timely and agenda-setting analysis of issues of strategic importance to animal protein companies around the world.
In his research and client engagement, Justin focusses on business opportunities in animal protein through, for example, increased production efficiencies, better access to growth markets and stronger supply chain models.
Prior to his current role, Justin has worked at RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness as Global Manager Research, Global Strategist F&A Supply Chains, and General Manager of Food & Agribusiness Research for Rabobank in Australia and New Zealand. He joined Rabobank in 2009.
Justin has also worked as an independent advisor to leading blue chip companies, not-for-profit organisations and governments, applying his knowledge of food & agribusiness, energy and natural resources issues, including sustainability and climate change.
Justin has over 20 years of global experience having worked in Europe, the United States, Latin America, New Zealand as well as his native Australia. He holds a Master of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.