Maarten Geraets recently left Thai Union, where he led the Alternative Protein Business Unit from Bangkok. He is currently exploring his next adventures, and these will most likely sit within the broader food-systems-change space. Passionate about the future of food, base-of-the-pyramid solutions, alternative proteins, innovation – Maarten’s purpose is to contribute to a better (food) world.
The last 2.5 years at Thai Union PLC in Bangkok, he led the Alternative Protein Business for Thai Union Group globally, a leading global seafood player from Thailand. The internal startup had a focus on human food solutions leveraging plant-based and exploring options in cultivated and fermentation. His mandate was to build a business in Alternative Seafood as one of the first legacy seafood players, leveraging the manufacturing skills of the company to support the larger alternative protein space.
With a career across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe with Nestlé, spanning commercial, research and development, and general management roles, Maarten has extensive global experience in driving results through people and innovation in consumer-facing businesses in the food space. He later joined EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eye wear company, as President of the South Asia business, where he was responsible for a turnaround in the business to bring it back to growth.
Maarten holds a Msc in Management & Organization from the RijksUniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands and a MBA from IMD in Switzerland. Recently also followed the IMAGINE program on systems-change, curated by Paul Polman. He is married with two daughters. He loves the outdoors, sports, travel, and as a true “foodie” loves a great meal.
