Michael Whitney

Managing DirectorEurope
Areas of Expertise

Food & Beverage, Global Agribusiness

About

As a consultant to Kincannon & Reed since 2012, Michael is a search professional and an executive coach.  As a search professional, he has led multiple C-suite and senior executive engagements for multi-nationals and earlier stage companies across the food and agribusiness value chain.  

He brings more than 25 years industry experience as an international senior executive leading in the consumer goods and agribusiness industries. He has also held a number of Non-Executive Directorships on the Boards of Private Equity portfolio companies.   

Michael graduated from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an infantry officer in the British Army for more than 10 years before moving into industry. He holds a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School in the UK.

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

The leaders we place prove the quality of our work. The knowledge of our experts provides the insight you need to attract the right candidates.

Kincannon & Reed Promotes Caroline Petit to Director, APAC

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Caroline Petit to Director, APAC. In her new role, Caroline will…

Keep Reading

The Role of Cross-Functional Experience in Building Executive-Ready Leaders

Organizations invest significant time and resources identifying high-potential talent. Yet one of the most common leadership development challenges isn’t finding capable…

Keep Reading

Why Experience Alone Stops Working at the Enterprise Level

Enterprise leadership is not a continuation of functional success; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders create impact. For much…

Keep Reading

Kincannon & Reed Announces Kelly Griffin as Chief Operating Officer

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Griffin to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Griffin will…

Keep Reading

What Top Executive Candidates Evaluate Before Joining a Leadership Team

In today’s highly competitive market for executive talent, attracting the right leaders requires more than a compelling role or competitive compensation.…

Keep Reading

2026 Q1 Talent Trends and Implications in EMEA

AN EVOLVING TALENT MARKET The senior leadership market is deeper than many realise, but availability is constraining abundance, and accessibility does…

Keep Reading

Sustaining High Performance Through Leadership Alignment

High performance is something to be protected, not taken for granted. Across food and agriculture, many organizations are delivering strong results…

Keep Reading

Kincannon & Reed Welcomes Jon Lowe as Managing Director

Kincannon & Reed, a leading executive search and leadership development firm exclusively serving organizations across the global food and agriculture value…

Keep Reading

2025 Year End Talent Trends & Implications for EMEA

As the calendar turns towards 2026, one question looms large: how will you ensure your next leadership team and your next…

Keep Reading

From Good to Great: Board Search in the European Agrifood Sectors

In the European food and agriculture sectors, the right board Board Chair or Non-Executive Director (NED) can change outcomes. Margins are…

Keep Reading

Leading Through Change: Reflections from Euroseeds Congress 2025

By Managing Director Christophe Dumont Attending this year’s Euroseeds Congress, I was reminded just how quickly the seed industry is evolving,…

Keep Reading

From Crisis to Clarity: Making Leadership a Strategic Priority in Ag

By Managing Director Aaron Locker | Originally Published by Seed World The leadership conversation in agriculture has shifted. It’s no longer…

Keep Reading

Employee Engagement: Why It Matters More Than Ever for Food & Ag Leaders

Employee engagement is more than a corporate buzzword; it’s a competitive advantage. Engaged employees aren’t just satisfied, they’re emotionally invested in…

Keep Reading

AGCO Partners with K&R on President of PTx Search

As Released by AGCO AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology,…

Keep Reading

2025 Mid Year Global Talent Trends & Implications

K&R EXPERIENCE As we move into the second half of 2025, executive hiring in food and ag continues to shift and…

Keep Reading

Is Your Executive Value Proposition Attracting Top Talent in Food & Agriculture?

Top executives in food and agriculture aren’t just looking for a compelling job description or competitive compensation. They want purpose, strategic…

Keep Reading

The First 100 Days: Reframing Executive Onboarding to Accelerate Impact and Retention

The moment a senior leader accepts an offer, most organizations breathe a sigh of relief. The hard part—the search—is over. But…

Keep Reading

Closing the Gap: Future-Proofing Leadership in Food & Ag

The senior leadership gap in food and agriculture isn’t just a distant concern; it’s already here. As these industries face the…

Keep Reading

Send a Message

Get in Touch with Michael Whitney

Industry Experts Making Connections

Our principals are active in the industries they serve and leverage their experience for our clients