Benchmark Genetics appoints new Head of Product Development

Aquaculture genetics company Benchmark Genetics announced yesterday that Dr Andrew Preston has been appointed Head of Product Development. "We're proud to celebrate Andrew's leadership and excited to see the innovation he will continue to champion in this next chapter," the company stated.

The appointment represents a promotion for Preston, who has been with the company for almost five years as Lead, Trait Development and Land-based Aquaculture.

Previously, he held various positions at the University of Stirling in Scotland before joining AquaMaof, where he started as Project Operations Supervisor and, after just over three years, became Head of Aquaculture Production, a role he held for two and a half years before moving to BenchMark Genetics.

In its announcement of the appointment, the aquaculture genetics company said that Dr Preston brings outstanding scientific depth and practical industry experience to his new role as Head of Product Development at Benchmark Genetics.

"With a strong academic background and extensive commercial experience across multiple species, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to translate research into real world advances for aquaculture producers," read the release.

According to Benchmark Genetics, since joining the company, Dr Preston has made significant contributions to trait development and land-based aquaculture, helping to drive its commitment to sustainable and cutting-edge genetic solutions.

"We're excited to highlight the outstanding work of Dr Andrew Cree Preston, whose expertise continues to strengthen Benchmark Genetics' leadership in innovative, high performance aquaculture solutions," the company said.

"My focus is turning science into products that help our customers to thrive. Tusen takk / Muchas gracias to everyone who's helped make this happen," Dr Preston said, for his part, when sharing the news of his new position on LinkedIn.

Benchmark Genetics concluded by explaining that, in his new role, he will lead the development of next-generation products designed to support a more efficient, resilient, and high-performing global aquaculture industry.

Continuing the organizational reshaping that has taken place since the aquaculture genetics company became an independent entity within Novo Holdings' investment portfolio in March 2025, Preston's promotion adds to other appointments that Benchmark Genetics has been announcing in recent months, such as the strengthening of its finance team in August; the appointment of the new CEO, Kristian Botnen, in September; or the newly-appointed Board of Directors with Tor Vikenes at the helm, appointed in November.