Westfalia Fruit has appointed former Tesco executive Chris Bush as the company’s new CEO.
Bush, who spent more than three decades at the UK retailer, will assume the role later this month.
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Acting CEO Rian du Toit, who took on the position when Alk Brand left the Westfalia Fruit earlier this year for agricultural supplies group Wynnstay, will return to a sole job as CFO.
In a statement, Westfalia Fruit said Bush has experience in grocery retail and led “complex” multinational organisations in various regions.
Bush’s most recent role was as divisional CEO of DFI Retail Group in South East Asia, overseeing 1,500 stores across seven countries.
Before that, Bush spent 32 years at Tesco, where he rose to the position of UK managing director and gained experience in Europe, the US, and Asia.
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By GlobalDataWestfalia Fruit chairman Dr Khotso Mokhele said: “After an extensive global search process, the board is delighted to welcome Bush as our new group chief executive. Chris is a seasoned CEO with exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and strong experience in retail, as well as working across a breadth of different countries and cultures.”
Bush’s arrival comes as Westfalia Fruit continues to expand globally. In September, the company announced its entry into Japan, India, and China.
The company’s efforts have been in part supported by a $300m loan facility obtained in April last year from HSBC, the International Finance Corporation, and Standard Bank.
These funds were earmarked for expanding avocado production, including the development of orchards and nurseries in Colombia, India, Chile, Mozambique, Peru, and South Africa.
Westfalia Fruit, which told Just Food it does not disclose its sales nor its profits, in orchards, packhouses and offices in 16 countries. The company, which has around 8,000 staff, supplies retail and foodservice customers.
Commenting on the new role, Bush said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be joining an organisation that is so clearly dedicated to innovation, product quality and sustainability.”
