Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.NTB) announces that its Board of Directors has appointed Jim Hamilton as president and chief executive officer of Neptune and a member of the board, effective Feb. 2, 2015.

Mr. Hamilton is currently vice president, Human Nutrition and Health, North America, and president of DSM Nutritional Products USA Inc., based in Parsippany, N.J. He serves on the global management team of DSM Nutritional Products' Human Nutrition & Health business, an organization with over $2 billion in global sales and operations in more than 40 countries. DSM Nutritional Products is an important division of the life sciences and material sciences corporation, DSM N.V. of the Netherlands.

Mr. Hamilton's industry knowledge has made him a valuable contributor to several trade associations and he is the immediate past chairman of the Board of Directors of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the dietary supplement industry's leading trade association. Jim is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and he has attended a number of business education and leadership programs at the London Business School and INSEAD.

"As Neptune begins a new era, Jim is the right person to lead the Corporation forward into its next phase of growth and success," highlighted Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, chairman of Neptune's Board of Directors. "I have known Jim for a number of years and he is an excellent fit, bringing complementary abilities to the current management team, including strong human resources skills, a key ingredient for a leader." Furthermore, Jim is a proven executive with a deep understanding of the nutraceutical market, strong industry connections and over 25 years of experience, working in the United States, Europe and Canada. During his career, he played a leading role in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of dietary supplement, food, animal feed and personal care products.

"I am pleased and excited to be given the opportunity to take Neptune to the next level as it solidifies its supply chain and reaffirms its market leadership," said Mr. Hamilton. "Neptune's new state-of-the-art plant and innovative offerings, combined with a fast growing consumer base looking for health and wellness products, puts the corporation in a solid position for growth. I look forward to working with the management team and Board to further develop Neptune's business and drive profitable growth." 

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would also like to thank Andre Godin for his leadership in this transition period,'' continued Mr. Fitzgibbon. "Andre has been instrumental to the firm's progress, including steering the Corporation through a difficult phase while production was down and successfully reestablishing operations at its Sherbrooke plant. He will continue to act as interim president and CEO until Jim's arrival in February 2015, following which he will remain a key member of the executive team.''