APPOINTMENTS Update

KFC appoints first black female General Manager for Africa region

PepsiCo appoints Riaan Heyl as new CEO for South African unit

SOUTH AFRICA – Multinational food and beverage corporation, PepsiCo, has named Riaan Heyl as the new Chief Executive Officer of its South African unit effective 1 May 2023.

Heyl, a Chartered Accountant by training with a rewarding career that included senior leadership roles in finance and general management, replaces Tertius Carstens, who retired after 29 years with the company.

He steps into the new position after serving as PepsiCo’s Chief Operating Officer in South Africa since January 2023.

Nigerian Breweries appoints Asue Ighodalo as new Non-Executive Chairman

AFRICA – American fast food restaurant chain KFC has appointed Akhona Qengqe as its very first black female General Manager for Africa, effective April 1st, 2023.

Akhona, who was the then Chief Development Officer of KFC Africa, has vast experience spanning multiple industries including petroleum, property, marketing, operations, and convenience retail. She will replace the outgoing GM – Dhruv Kaul, who is moving into a GM role for KFC Pan Europe.

Sabir Sami, KFC Global Chief Executive Officer, noted that Akhona has spent the better part of her eight years at KFC as an intrinsic part of the KFC leadership team in Africa and has worked closely with Dhruv and the team to ensure the sustainability of the business but also, the growth of local female talent.

She has helped the business navigate a disruptive pandemic that impacted not only business but also staff from a wellness and workplace perspective – a job she managed with humility, empathy, and efficiency; the quick service restaurant highlighted.

In his career portfolio, Heyl led the Essential Foods portfolio within Pioneer Foods from 2017, and following PepsiCo’s acquisition of Pioneer Foods, in 2020, took on the role of Vice President Go to Market and Commercial Integration across the South African portfolio.

NIGERIA – Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB), the largest brewing company in Nigeria, has appointed Mr. Asue Ighodalo to be the new Non-Executive Chairman effective from May 1st, 2023, after the retirement of its Chairman, Chief Kolawole B. Jamodu, CFR.

Mr. Ighodalo joined the Board on January 1st, 2022. He is a highly experienced lawyer with over 35 years of experience and a leading figure in corporate Nigeria.

With the appointment, Heyl said he is ready to build on what has already been achieved and is passionate about the company’s trajectory for growth where shared value, sustainability, people, and consumers are at the center.

He currently serves as the chairperson of Sterling Bank Plc and Levene Energy Group and sits on the Board of Okomu Oil Palm Plc. He is the immediate past chairperson of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Meanwhile, Chief Jamodu, who joined the Board on March 1st, 2006, and became Chairman on January 1st, 2008, played a significant role in the Company’s growth and transformation, which included various acquisitions and mergers between 2011 and 2014.

Danone SA appoints first female Head of Manufacturing

SOUTH AFRICA – Tsholofelo

Ngobeni has become the first woman to hold the head of manufacturing position at South Africa’s largest dairy producer, Danone.

According to the company, Tsholofelo is a seasoned operations leader, with experience in operations, safety, quality & food safety, supply chain, and engineering in the FMCG sector locally and internationally.

Kid Nkantsu, Danone Southern Africa operations director, described Tsholofelo as a calm and objectiveorientated individual who will be most valuable with the implementation of a modern and innovative manufacturing strategy, as well as solid strategic operational goals that aim to result in even higher product quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction.

UACN taps Kerry Group executive Oluyemi Oloyede to head food and beverage division

South African wine and spirit producer KWV appoints John Loomes as CEO

SOUTH AFRICA – KWV, a leading wine and spirit producer in South Africa, has named John Loomes to replace Boyce Lloyd as CEO effective 1 June 2023.

Loomes has been serving as the CEO incumbent in a temporary COO role since September 2022, taking on responsibility for most functions and reporting lines.

Since January 2023, Loomes’ responsibilities further expanded, and has effectively been managing the business for the past 5 months.

NIGERIA – U.A.C of Nigeria, an investment holding company with a wide range of interests in food and beverages, real estate, paint, and logistics sectors, has appointed Oluyemi Oloyede as CEO of UAC Foods Limited, its food and beverages subsidiary.

Oloyede joins UAC Foods from the Irish taste and nutrition firm, Kerry, where he served as the General Manager for West Africa since 2018.

At Kerry Group, he led a team of colleagues in commercial, finance, research, development and applications, supply chain, and operations to support Kerry’s customers in West Africa.

With an extensive background in the beverage, FMCG, and CPG sectors, Loomes, an MBA degree holder from Bond University, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to lead the business into an exciting new chapter.

Tsholofelo holds a qualification in Chemical Engineering and an MBA. She also completed the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) program and Certification in Planning & Inventory Management (CPIM) with APICS.

In his over 16 years of experience leading multinational teams, Oloyede has also held various executive positions in leading fast-moving consumer goods companies in Nigeria, including L’Oreal where he served as National Sales Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, and Procter and Gamble where he served as Regional Sales Manager.

He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Mathematics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, and an MBA from the same institution.

Loomes has over 25 years of experience working in commercial, business development, and general management roles in South Africa, Africa, and the Middle East.

KWV said his appointment was part of a “carefully orchestrated leadership transition.”

Pearl Dairy

Lato Instant Porridge

Pearl Dairy, the producer of popular Ugandan milk brand Lato, has diversified its portfolio to include Instant porridge. Trading under the Lato brand name, the Instant Porridge is a composite flour made up of maize and sorghum. The flour also contains milk and sugar for a truly all-in-one breakfast cereal experience. Available in 30g sachets, the porridge is also fortified with Iron, Zinc, and vitamins A & E for a healthy start to the day.

www.latomilk.com

Brookside Dairy

Plant based milk

Brookside Dairy Limited, Eastern Africa’s largest dairy processing company, has dipped its toes into the plant-based milk category with the launch of 100% Almond Milk and 100% Soy Milk products. Launched under the company’s flagship brand Brookside, the products come packaged in 1000ml laminated carton boxes.

www.brookside.co.ke

Jetlak Foods Limited

Frosti Fruit Drink

Jetlak Foods Limited, a leading beverage company in Kenya, has introduced a new fruit drink under the brand Frosti. The fruit drinks are made from 10% real fruit and are rich in Vitamin C, according to the company. The drinks come in 1000ml laminated carton boxes and are available in a variety of fruity flavors like Mango, Apple, Tropical, and Guava.

www.jetlack.com

Bakhresa Group

Azam O’cream Icecream

Bakhresa group, one of Tanzania’s most diversified food companies, has launched a new ice cream flavor under its Azam brand. Trading as Azam O’cream Ice cream, the new product is vanilla flavored and contains chocolate biscuits. Like others in the range, the product is available in 1-litre plastic bowls.

www.bakhresa.com

Kitui Flour Mills

Dola Vegetable Cooking Oil

Kitui Flour Mills, the maker of one of the leading wheat flour brands in Kenya Dola, has diversified its strong brand name into the vegetable cooking oil category with the launch of Dola Vegetable Cooking Oil. The cooking oil is available in all leading stores in Kenya in a wide variety of sizes from 20ltrs to 500ml.

www.kituiflourmills.co.ke

Bounty Kenya Limited

Non-Alcoholic wine & Energy Drink

Bounty Kenya Limited, the makers of popular soft drink Lemonade, has launched a new energy drink dubbed Safari Energy Booster. The drink is available country wide in 350ml PET bottles. The Kenya-based company has added Mohito flavour to its Rendezvous line of non-alcoholic sparkling drinks. According to the company, the new product is “a delicious blend of zesty lime, fresh mint, and bubbly carbonation that will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise.” www.bounty.co.ke