Maarten Geraets joined Thai Union in May 2021 to lead the Alternative Protein Business for Thai Union Group globally, with a focus on human food. As an internal start-up, his mandate is to build a business in Alternative Seafood and leverage 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 brings a rich food experience relevant to his role at Thai Union. He has extensive global experience in driving results through people and innovation in consumer-facing businesses. He began and spent most of his career at Nestlé where he held roles of increasing responsibility, including overseeing innovations and developments in the Nestlé Foods category, which includes alternative protein. He later joined Essilor, 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 is married with two daughters. He has family in Thailand, where hespent some of his early childhood years, and considers the country his second home. He loves the outdoors, sports, travel, and as a true “foodie” loves a great meal.