A Selection of Global Case Studies

GF Biochemicals

Accelerating Growth Through Strategic Leadership Appointments

GFBiochemicals is a pioneer in bio-based chemistry and sustainable materials innovation, founded with the mission to end chemical pollution. Focused on levulinic acid derivatives and safer alternatives to traditional petrochemicals, the company is scaling to meet growing global demand across applications including coatings, personal care, agrochemicals, and household and industrial cleaning.

Built around its proprietary RE:CHEMISTRY® platform, GFBiochemicals enables the replacement of harmful petrochemical ingredients with high-performance bio-based solutions. In 2025, this momentum was recognised through an EcoVadis Silver sustainability rating and the ICIS Innovation Award for Best Product Innovation, alongside continued investment in R&D and industrial-scale manufacturing capability.

As the business transitioned from innovation-led development into commercial and operational scale-up, strengthening leadership capability became a critical priority. GFBiochemicals partnered with Listgrove, the specialist international recruitment consultancy for the plastics, packaging and chemicals industries, to support this next phase of growth.

The Challenge

GFBiochemicals required senior leadership appointments across commercial, operational and technical functions to support its scale-up ambitions. Operating in a volatile global environment, with ongoing pressure on raw material availability, tariffs and logistics, the business needed leaders capable of operating across complex, fast-moving and technically demanding settings.

How Listgrove supported

Over an 18-month collaboration, Listgrove applied its sector expertise, international networks and investigative search methodology to deliver three highly challenging, multi-disciplinary appointments: a Procurement & Supply Chain Director, a Plant Project Director and two Business Development Managers in CASE and I&I.

Working in close partnership with senior stakeholders, Listgrove maintained a clear search focus despite market turbulence and shifting timelines. Targeted international headhunting and detailed market mapping ensured each appointment aligned with GFBiochemicals’ operational, technical and commercial priorities.

 

The Impact

By investing in leadership capability across critical functions, GFBiochemicals has strengthened its ability to scale sustainably while maintaining operational control, supply security and commercial momentum. Listgrove’s sustained, targeted search approach reduced risk at a pivotal stage of development, ensuring leadership capability kept pace with innovation and market opportunity.

The partnership demonstrates how specialist recruitment can accelerate industry transformation, reinforcing Listgrove’s role as a trusted advisor to businesses driving innovation, sustainability and growth across the chemicals, plastics and packaging sectors.

What Candidates Say

‘The selection process was extraordinary, one of the key factors in the decision to take this opportunity. Andy’s kindness and deep insight are at the top level and tremendously helps the candidate to move forward through the selection process stages.’

Plant Project Director, GF Biochemicals