"I am honored to join The Kingfish Company at such a pivotal moment," Buiks stated on his appointment.
Photo: The Kingfish Company.
The search for a new CEO for The Kingfish Company, which began in August when current Chief Executive Officer Vincent Erenst announced his retirement, has been concluded. The Netherlands-based aquaculture company announced today that Karl Buiks has been selected to replace him, effective January 1, 2026.
In the announcement, the pioneer and leader in land-based production of yellowtail kingfish said it will propose Buiks' appointment as Chief Executive Officer at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to be held in the coming weeks.
"I am honored to join The Kingfish Company at such a pivotal moment," Buiks stated, commenting on his appointment. "The company has strong fundamentals, a differentiated market position, and significant untapped potential."
"My focus will be on sharpening our strategy and driving disciplined growth that strengthens value for our shareholders, partners, and customers," he said about his plans for the company.
"The company has successfully created a technology and business model that leads to a brighter future for our oceans and food systems at large," the incoming CEO of The Kingfish Company added. "I look forward to being a part of it."
The Kingfish Company highlighted that Buiks brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across the food, beverage, and nutrition sectors, with senior roles at PepsiCo, FrieslandCampina, and Kerry Group.
His background includes full P&L ownership, with a consistent track record of delivering revenue growth, margin improvement, and operational transformation.
"Karl brings the strategic discipline, operational rigor, and brand-building expertise required to drive The Kingfish Company's next phase of performance and growth," said Jeroen Scheelbeek, Chair of the Supervisory Board for The Kingfish Company.
As previously announced, the current CEO, Vincent Erenst, who plans to retire at the end of the year, will continue to support the team and work closely with his successor to ensure a smooth transition.
The company said this will begin on December 1, 2025, and Scheelbeek took advantage of the announcement once again to thank outgoing CEO for his work.
"The Supervisory Board wish to express its appreciation to Vincent for his outstanding leadership, which was central to delivering the Phase 2 expansion and driving substantial revenue growth," the Chair of the Supervisory Board said. "These achievements have left Kingfish in a strong position for the future."
The Kingfish Company closed 2024 with strong commercial momentum, achieving over 60% volume growth in Q4 and surpassing 2,000 tons in annual shipped volume for the first time.
The land-based yellowtail kingfish producer also enhanced its sales capabilities and implemented measures to optimize operational efficiency, align production with demand, and ensure it remains on track for profitability.
This trend was confirmed in the first and second quarters of 2025 and, according to the company's latest business update, will continue into the third quarter of this year.