At a pivotal time, as Benchmark Genetics becomes an independent company under the Novo Holdings portfolio, the company is announcing new leadership positions.

Ross Houston has been named as Benchmark Genetics’ chief scientific officer (CSO). In this new role, Ross will lead our global research and development, oversee breeding programs and product design, and drive strategic initiatives to strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in applied aquaculture genetics.

Ross joined Benchmark in 2022, bringing with him extensive expertise from his previous role as Chair of Aquaculture Genetics at the Roslin Institute. He is internationally recognized for pioneering the use of genomic technologies to advance breeding programmes, with nearly 150 peer-reviewed publications, several patents, and a strong presence on the global conference stage.

Since joining Benchmark, Ross has spearheaded key scientific developments, including the establishment of our Reproductive Technologies team and a state-of-the-art molecular genetics laboratory, which now delivers advanced genotyping services to aquaculture producers worldwide.

Bruno Decock has been named as head of Benchmark Genetics Shrimp.

Bruno has been a driving force in Benchmark’s shrimp genetics operations since joining the company in 2017. With over twenty years of experience in aquaculture and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, he brings strong scientific expertise and practical industry insight.

In his new role, Bruno will be responsible for the shrimp genetics business’s strategic development and overall performance. Benchmark’s shrimp breeding programme is based in Colombia, and it supplies high-quality genetic material to customers globally from its multiplication centre in the USA.

Bruno is based in Vietnam, enabling close collaboration with our regional partners and customers in Asia, home to the world’s most dynamic shrimp markets.