Protein Industries Canada Board of Directors announced Robert Hunter as the new CEO, following a national search. Robert assumes the position of CEO on January 15, 2025. Robert will replace Frank Hart who has been interim CEO since August 2024.
Robert brings more than 20 years of experience in the agriculture food sector, holding positions with Maple Leaf Foods, the Canola Council of Canada, and CropLife International. Throughout his career Robert has been a passionate advocate for agriculture while living and working in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has gained a global perspective on food systems and implemented sector-wide strategies that promote sustainable trade, innovation, and economic growth.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to welcome Robert Hunter as the new CEO of Protein Industries Canada,” Chair of the board Tyler Groeneveld said. “Robert brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and we are confident in his ability to lead Protein Industries Canada into our next chapter. Under Robert’s leadership we will focus on further supporting the scale-up and competitiveness of Canadian companies, anchoring Canada’s position as an agriculture and food production powerhouse.”
During his time at CropLife International, Robert was based in Washington D.C., and Brussels where he focused on advancing innovation in agriculture and driving sustainable food systems forward. Robert also brings experience in market development and trade, as well as in organizational strategy, operations and global advocacy.
“As the CEO of Protein Industries Canada, I am eager to further advance Canada as a global leader of high-value ingredients and food products,” Hunter said. “As a life-long supporter of Canada’s agriculture sector I firmly believe in Canada’s potential to lead in this area and look forward to accelerating the competitiveness of the Canadian plant protein sector.”
Hunter will be based out of Toronto, Ont. Protein Industries Canada’s head office remains in Regina, Sask., with staff located throughout Canada.
“As we transition leadership of Protein Industries Canada to Robert, we must also thank Frank Hart for stepping in as interim CEO,” Groeneveld said. “Frank has been a vital part of Protein Industries Canada since the very beginning and has provided leadership throughout our journey. It was his vision that led to the creation of Protein Industries Canada, and over the past months he has been focused on the next iteration of our strategy.”
Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters. With a mandate to accelerate innovation related to ingredient manufacturing and food processing of Canada’s high-protein crops. Since 2018, Protein Industries Canada and industry members have invested more than $630 million into the Canadian ecosystem, leading to the development of more than 550 IP assets and an expected $15 billion in GDP contribution.
