The decision by leading international fresh produce company Univeg to appoint Alan Forrester as its new joint managing director has caused tensions with South Africa-based marketer Capespan, which had recently confirmed his appointment as the new head of its UK division.
Univeg's decision to appoint Forrester, currently director of Univeg UK's Fairtrade and Univeg Direct units, andMike Harpham, the division's head of stonefruit and tropicals, as jointmanaging directors follows this week's departure of its UK managing director David Prince, with immediate effect.
The move will raise questions over the future management of Capespan UK, where Forrester was due to take over as MD some time in the near future.
Capespan UK's current managing director Ronan Lennon revealed back in August that he planned to leave in October, and Forrester was understood to have accepted an offer made by Capespan CEO Louis Kriel to become Lennon's successor following the company's planned relocation from its current home, Sheerness.
Speaking to Eurofruit, a spokesperson for Univeg said the appointments of both Forrester and Harpham were 'permanent and effective immediately'.
In a brief statement issued to the trade, Univeg confirmed that Prince would be leaving with immediate effect in order to pursue other interests.
'Univeg wishes to thanks David for what he has realised during his stay and wishes him the best for the future,' the group added.
