Robert E. Jones steps down from Mosa Meat and Cellular Agriculture Europe

Robert E. Jones has officially stepped down from his roles at Mosa Meat (Vice President, Global Public Affairs) and Cellular Agriculture Europe, marking the end of a chapter as one of the most visible champions of cultivated meat in Europe.

In a reflective announcement on LinkedIn, Jones confirmed that last Friday (16 May 2025) had been his last day at Mosa Meat, the Dutch food tech company best known for producing the world’s first cultivated hamburger. He also relinquished his position as President of Cellular Agriculture Europe, the Brussels-based trade association representing companies working in the cultivated meat and seafood space.

“After an incredible five-year run, my time in cellular agriculture has come to an end,” Jones wrote. “While I remain passionate about the transformative potential of cultivated meat, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity crossed my path that I have to explore – more on that later.”

Jones first joined Mosa Meat in 2019, a period that coincided with the company’s transition from scientific proof-of-concept to public-facing commercial ambition. During his tenure, he helped steer the company’s public affairs and regulatory strategy, working alongside stakeholders in industry and government to shape the narrative and policy framework around cultivated protein. He also played a central role in positioning Mosa Meat as a leader in the European sector.

“Most importantly,” he said, “I got to be a member of the Mosa Meat team – a collective of brilliant, no bull$#!t, social impact-oriented trailblazers who taught me something new every day.”

He paid particular tribute to several of his colleagues and mentors. Among those named were Mosa Meat’s founders, Mark Post and Peter Verstrate, whom he credited for their “vision of a more sustainable world and dogged pursuit of it even when others might have given up”. He also acknowledged CEO Maarten Bosch for “deftly steering the rocketship” and for trusting him to represent the company globally.

Jones’s exit from Mosa Meat is coupled with his departure from Cellular Agriculture Europe, where he served as President for the past four years. During that time, he helped guide the organization through its formation and its expansion into a key voice for the cultivated sector across the continent.

“Serving as President of Cellular Agriculture Europe has been a great honor,” he wrote. “I’m grateful to the past and current board members and our member companies for their trust, guidance, and collaboration. I will miss our time together in Brussels and London.”

In his farewell, Jones acknowledged the contributions of colleagues including Caroline Rey, the Association’s former Secretary-General, and praised the current team at Sustainable Public Affairs – Ellen Hof, Pauline Juricic, Estela Villarabide Varela, and Sandrine Ackermans – for their ongoing efforts. The incoming President of the Association will be announced soon.

One of the more personal notes in his message was reserved for Ira van Eelen, daughter of Willem van Eelen, widely regarded as the godfather of cultivated meat. Jones described her as a “lifelong friend” and credited her with providing both personal support and professional inspiration. “Everyone needs an Ira in their life,” he wrote.

Looking back, Jones highlighted the scale and scope of his engagement over the past five years. He noted that he had visited 26 countries across four continents, participated in hundreds of events, and testified before multiple governments, all in the service of accelerating cultivated meat development.

“To the remainder of my ~150 other brilliant current and former colleagues from 34 countries, I am truly better for our many rich and diverse interactions,” he said. “Your passion for science, discovery, and achieving what was once thought impossible will always inspire me.”

His final message was succinct: “The baton has been passed. My work here is done. Au revoir.”

Jones has not yet revealed what his next move will be, only hinting at a new role that he described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”. Whatever that turns out to be, his departure marks a significant moment for both Mosa Meat and the cultivated meat movement in Europe, where he has been a key advocate and bridge-builder over the past half-decade.

Protein Production Technology International wishes him all the best and thanks him for his support of the magazine.