The Kingfish Company names Karl Buiks new CEO, effective January 2026

The Kingfish Company N.V. has selected Karl Buiks as its new chief executive officer, with his appointment proposed at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Buiks will assume the role on January 1, 2026, bringing over 25 years of international leadership experience from the food, beverage, and nutrition sectors, including senior positions at PepsiCo, FrieslandCampina, and Kerry Group. His expertise spans P&L ownership, revenue growth, margin improvement, and operational transformation.

Buiks stated his focus will be on sharpening strategy and driving disciplined growth to strengthen value for shareholders, partners, and customers. Jeroen Scheelbeek, chair of the supervisory board, highlighted Buiks' strategic discipline, operational rigor, and brand-building expertise as crucial for the company’s next phase of performance and growth.

Current CEO Vincent Erenst plans to retire at the end of 2025 but will support a smooth transition starting December 1, 2025. The supervisory board acknowledged Erenst’s leadership in delivering the Phase 2 expansion and substantial revenue growth, which has positioned Kingfish strongly for the future. The Kingfish Company specializes in sustainable land-based aquaculture using RAS technology, operating Kingfish Zeeland in the Netherlands and holding permits for expansion in the United States.