Pioneer appoints new CEO as Roux retires

1st September 2017 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Phil Roux will retire as CEO of Pioneer Foods, effective October 1, but will continue to serve as strategic adviser to the company until November 30, 2019.

Tertius Carstens, who is the business executive responsible for Pioneer’s essential foods division, will take over as CEO of the group on October 1.

“Phil has been an asset to the company and has brought about significant positive change. He was responsible for implementing an improved operating model and made some strategic acquisitions including the joint venture with Futurelife, the Weetabix Kenya acquisition and Food Concepts Nigeria.

“We have a strong balance sheet with ample capacity for growth and our embedded strategy should ensure margin recovery and growth going forward. The senior leadership team has benefited from [Roux’s] experience and approach and his contribution to the company has been very valuable. We look forward to continue having access to his expertise in an advisory capacity as we enter the next phase,” commented chairperson KK Combi.

He added that Carstens is “exceptionally qualified” and respected among the group’s stakeholders.

“His strong record and depth of knowledge and experience across all aspects of the organisation makes him the ideal candidate to assume the role of CEO,” said Combi.

The group has also made a number of other recent appointments, including that of Felix Lombard as CFO, effective July 1 and Martin Neethling as business executive of the groceries division, effective July 1.

Meanwhile, Riaan Heyl has been appointed to succeed Carstens as business executive of the essential foods division, effective October 1.

Further, Dr Elroy Goliath has been appointed group executive of supply chain and Nico Moloto group executive of sutainability and stakeholders.