Burcon NutraScience Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Kip Underwood, a seasoned veteran executive with over 25 years of experience in the food and specialty protein industry, as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 7, 2022. Peter H. Kappel has relinquished his role as interim CEO and remain as chair of Burcon's board of directors. Mr. Underwood brings deep expertise in sales, marketing, business development and strategy in the specialty protein space.

His extensive experience includes executive leadership roles at global companies such as the Solae Company and DuPont Nutrition & Health, where he was responsible for top line sales of $1.4 billion and approximately 250 employees. Known as a champion for growth, Mr. Underwood has led and transformed businesses from multi-year decline into year-over-year growth engines. Kip Underwood: Mr. Underwood began his career with the Solae Company and held progressively more senior positions until he transitioned from the Senior Sales Director for Europe, into the role of Vice President, Specialty Protein Business for DuPont Nutrition and Health.

He held the position of NAFTA Regional President with DuPont Nutrition and Health from 2014 - 2017, where he was responsible for top line sales of $1.4 billion and approximately 250 employees. In that role, he achieved above market growth every year in sectors including baking, dairy, beverage, meat and nutritional supplements. Mr. Underwood has extensive experience in leading business turnaround from multi-year sales decline to year-over-year growth.

In his latest role at Benson Hill as General Manager and Vice President of Sales, Mr. Underwood led efforts to transform a start-up company to an established food ingredient business including building a $100 million project funnel within the first six months of product launch. He holds an MBA from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Missouri- Columbia.