Naturalis People marks five years helping transformational food-tech scale its leadership structures

Specialist recruiter Naturalis People has cemented its role as a trusted leadership talent partner to transformational food sectors, placing senior executives and functional leaders in some of the most innovative companies in alternative protein, precision fermentation, and cultivated meat.

Founded in 2020 by career food recruiter Alan Gove, Naturalis People has spent the past five years carving out a niche in the fast-growing food ingredient and food-tech sector, supporting businesses in building the leadership structures needed to scale responsibly and sustainably.

“For me, food has always been a passion,” said Gove, Founder & CEO. “I’ve spent my whole career as a recruiter in this sector, and I wanted my business and my own efforts to be part of the solution, not the problem. I’m driven by a desire to leave a legacy of good within an industry I’ve devoted my life to.”

That sense of purpose, he said, is also what connects Naturalis People with its clients. “Food-tech is one of the most exciting and fast-moving industries in the world today,” he continued. “But success isn’t just about technology or funding – it’s about people. The right leadership team can make the difference between a company that scales successfully and one that stalls. That’s where we come in.”

Naturalis People works across C-suite, non-executive, board advisory, and broader functional leadership roles, connecting leaders with deep sector experience to companies shaping the future of food. Its recent placements include senior hires for Infinite Roots, Heura Foods, Griffith Foods, The Protein Brewery, Nutropy, Greenforce, Nutreco, and several cultivated meat and alternative protein ventures.

Gove said one of the biggest challenges remains the scarcity of leaders with proven experience scaling within these emerging sectors. “These new areas of food are still young, and if we’re honest, not many companies have truly scaled yet,” he explained. “There are very shallow talent pools across commercial, technology, and scientific disciplines. Naturalis has spent a huge amount of time identifying candidate pools in aligned sectors and bringing that talent into these new areas of food.”

He emphasized that the firm’s approach goes far beyond filling roles. “We see ourselves as partners, not just recruiters,” said Gove. “Our job is to really understand a company’s mission, culture, and stage of growth – and then identify leaders who can help deliver on that vision. In food-tech, the stakes are high. These are businesses trying to feed a growing population sustainably, and they need leaders who combine technical expertise with commercial acumen and a commitment to progress.”

Finding that balance between science and strategy can be difficult, he admitted. “There aren’t many people who combine commercial acumen with scientific understanding,” he said. “These individuals are knowledgeable and require time for their own due diligence. My role is to manage that process, guide them, and overcome objections to ensure our clients attract the right leaders. It’s a competitive space, and talent is a finite resource.”

Naturalis also works closely with private equity, venture capital, and corporate venturing arms to construct the right leadership structures within their investment portfolios. This support, said Gove, is becoming increasingly critical as capital-intensive businesses move from R&D into scale-up and commercialization.

“Investors are looking for assurance that their portfolio companies have the right leadership in place,” he said. “We help give them that confidence, whether it’s by placing a new CEO, strengthening a board with non-executives, or advising on succession planning. A strong leadership structure de-risks investment and accelerates growth.”

According to Gove, authenticity and long-term commitment are key qualities investors now expect from leadership teams. “It takes years of a career for leaders to make these businesses truly scale,” he said. “That commitment, that passion for the journey, is what investors want to see.”

Naturalis People’s role as a connector extends beyond its client work. The company has been confirmed as the Networking Sponsor of The Future of Protein Production Amsterdam, taking place on 29-30 October 2026 at the RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event is expected to gather around 1,000 senior decision-makers from across the alternative protein landscape.

“For us, sponsorship of The Future of Protein Production Amsterdam is about more than visibility,” said Gove. “It’s about creating opportunities for meaningful conversations across the sector. Bringing people together is at the heart of what we do, and this event is the perfect stage to connect innovators, investors, and leaders shaping the future of food.”

As the alternative protein sector matures, demand for leadership talent continues to grow – not just in technical roles but across commercial, operations, marketing, sustainability, and finance. Gove said that while technical expertise is crucial, passion and authenticity often set great leaders apart. “There has to be an authentic motivation to be in the sector,” he said. “Some of the individuals we work with are incredibly passionate and impressive, and the sector will thrive if it continues to attract and retain those kinds of leaders.”

Now operating across Amsterdam, Dubai, and New York, Naturalis People has evolved into a truly international business – but Gove’s focus remains consistent. “Five years has flown,” he reflected. “We’ve had our own challenges in that time, but I’d love to see us build out teams in all our offices and eventually expand into Asia and Australia. My ambition is the same as it was in the beginning – to leave a legacy behind when I retire. I want Naturalis to be an influential people consultancy within change-driven areas of food long into the future.”

“Ultimately, our mission is simple,” he added. “We want to help build the leadership foundations that allow transformational food companies to thrive. If we can play even a small role in accelerating the shift towards more sustainable and nutritious food systems, then we’ve done our job.”