Leadership transition: Capespan CEO and CFO step down amid organizational evolution

The South Africa-based multinational fruit producer and marketer Capespan announced that Chief Executive Officer, Charl du Bois, will step down from his role and will be succeeded by André de Klerk, the company’s current Commercial Director and a member of the Board. The leadership change is effective immediately.

“It has been a privilege to lead Capespan during a period of strong growth and performance,” Du Bois commented. “[The firm] and its people have been an important part of my life for ten years, and I believe this is the right time to step down, with the company in a strong position for continued success. I am particularly pleased to hand the reins to someone of Andre’s caliber.”

Image via LinkedIn

On his part, Reinhardt Siegrühn, Chairman of the Capespan Board, assured the board’s utmost confidence in De Klerk’s leadership. 

“Andre is exceptionally well placed to lead Capespan and to build on the recent successes of the business in pursuit of continued growth for all our stakeholders,” he said.

De Klerk has been part of Capespan’s senior management team for 14 years and brings extensive experience in the global fruit industry, positioning him well to lead the company into its next phase of growth.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by the current leadership team and to working with our people to continue delivering sustainable growth and maximizing value for our customers and producers,” De Klerk said. 

More leadership changes in Capespan

The company confirmed that the top leadership transition forms part of an organizational evolution, and that customer service, operations, and reporting functions continue as normal.

As part of this broader transition and following the continued evolution of the group’s operating structure, Jolanda van Heerden, Chief Financial Officer, will also be stepping down from her role. Siegrühn thanked Jolanda in the name of the board for her contribution to the company during a period of strong operational and commercial progress.

Following the departure of the Chief Financial Officer, the group’s financial functions will continue to be led by the Divisional Finance Heads—Fia Karstens (Fruit Division) and Albert Steyn (Farms Division)—who will jointly oversee this function, ensuring continuity and focused attention across the Group’s diverse business lines.

In further support of the leadership transition, Bernie Denton, who has been with Capespan for 12 years and currently heads the group’s Farming division, has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer and to the Board. 

Bernie’s long-standing experience within the business, together with his deep operational knowledge and leadership across the Group’s activities, will provide important continuity and further strengthen the executive team as Capespan continues to grow.

“Bernie’s appointment will help ensure closer alignment across the group’s operations and continued focus on key operational initiatives,” De Klerk added. 

*All images courtesy of Capespan unless stated otherwise. 

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