Eskort appoints new group CEO Herman Janse van Rensburg after 22 years under Arnold Prinsloo

• Eskort, one of South Africa's most beloved food brands, has named a new group CEO to take over from March 2027
• Herman Janse van Rensburg joins from dairy giant Lactalis, where he spent 16 years in senior executive roles
• Outgoing CEO Arnold Prinsloo leaves behind a business the board describes as stronger and more innovative than ever

One of South Africa's most recognisable food brands is entering a new chapter. Eskort, which has been a staple in South African homes for 109 years, confirmed that Herman Janse van Rensburg will take over as group CEO in March 2027. Arnold Prinsloo, who has led the company for 22 years, will step aside after one of the longest tenures in the brand's history.

Janse van Rensburg will not be thrown in at the deep end. He joins the Eskort team in January 2027, allowing two months for a structured handover before officially assuming the top role. Prinsloo will remain involved during that transition period.

From dairy to pork: A new voice at the top

The incoming CEO comes with deep roots in the South African food industry. Janse van Rensburg spent 16 years at Lactalis, the dairy company, where he rose through the ranks to serve as business unit executive and eventually CEO. That breadth of experience is precisely what Eskort's parent company, First Food Brands, says it was looking for.

Board chairman Gerard Braak described the appointment as a strong fit for the company's next phase of growth. Braak said:

"He brings exactly the combination of financial acumen, operational depth and executive leadership that Eskort needs as it continues to grow its manufacturing capability, retail footprint and product innovation:"

Janse van Rensburg expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying he is stepping into a brand built on both heritage and adaptability.

"Eskort is a proudly South African brand with 109 years of heritage, world-class manufacturing standards and a product range that continues to evolve with the way South Africans eat," he said. "I am excited to help write the next chapter of that South African success story."

Prinsloo leaves a strong legacy

Braak was equally generous in acknowledging what Prinsloo leaves behind. Over two decades, the outgoing CEO steered Eskort through significant challenges and periods of rapid growth, all while keeping the brand's identity intact. Braak said:

"The business he is handing over is stronger, more innovative and more widely loved than ever."

Eskort confirmed that the strategic direction set under Prinsloo's leadership will remain the foundation going forward. The company intends to build on its retail expansion, deepen product innovation and grow its presence across South Africa.

For a brand that has been feeding South African families for over a century, the transition marks not an ending, but a deliberate step into its next era.

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Source: Briefly News

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