Capespan has announced that, on 4 May this year, Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) chief executive Stuart Symington will take over the reins from Ronan Lennon as managing director of Capespan South Africa.
Lennon held the position on an interim basis and has decided to step down from the role as managing director to pursue personal interests, the group said in a statement.
He will remain part of the Capespan group on a part-time consultancy basis, focusing on strategic projects until his return to the UK early next year. The transition will include a comprehensive handover process, settling Symington into his new role.
Capespan Fruit chief executive Leon van Biljon said Symington would contribute significantly to further develop and bed down the customer-driven Capespan business model and strategy.
“As such, he’ll drive buy-in, improved communication, alignment and customer focus,' explained van Biljon. 'We appreciate Ronan’s contribution to the Capespan South Africa business and wish him well with his future plans.”
Capespan said that it will continue to evolve its strategy and focus on the driving force of the business, namely to be successful at customer level, and more competitive at supplier level, driving efficiencies and inter-group synergies to optimise service levels as the service provider of choice in the global diverse fruit industry.
'Symington’s extensive fruit industry experience is well-suited to further develop and push Capespan South Africa’s strategy by building strong alliances, growing the business and providing guidance and leadership,' the group statement noted.
Symington has been chief executive of the PPECB for the past three years, and prior to that he was chief executive of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) for ten years.
