The board of First Food Brands has announced the appointment of Herman Janse van Rensburg as group chief executive officer of Eskort, effective 1 March 2027.
Janse van Rensburg, currently the general manager of dairy company Lactalis South Africa, will join Eskort’s management team on 1 January 2027, allowing for a structured two-month induction period before he officially assumes the group CEO role. Retiring group CEO Arnold Prinsloo will be involved in the handover process.
Board chair Gerard Braak said they were delighted to welcome Herman to Eskort as 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.
“Having led one of South Africa’s most respected food businesses, Herman understands what it takes to build and sustain a brand that communities trust. We are confident he will honour Eskort’s heritage while driving the next chapter of its growth,” Braak said.
Who is Herman Janse van Rensburg?
Janse van Rensburg joined Lactalis 16 years ago as a financial manager and progressed through a series of senior executive roles, including executive management control, business unit executive and chief operating officer, before his appointment as general manager.
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Responding to his appointment Janse van Rensburg said he was honoured to be joining Eskort at such an exciting point in its journey.
“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.
“I look forward to working with the Eskort team to build on this extraordinary foundation, and to keep moving with the times while honouring the tradition and trust that has made this brand what it is. Eskort has always combined resilience with adaptability, and I am excited to help write the next chapter of that South African success story,” he said.
Leaving a retail legacy
Prinsloo joined Eskort as chief operating officer and was appointed CEO on 1 July 2007. His tenure has seen Eskort expand its manufacturing capability, grow its branded retail network to more than 30 Eskort retail stores across eight provinces, and build a range of more than 300 antibiotic-free pork products.
“Arnold’s contribution to Eskort over 22-years has been extraordinary. He has led the business through periods of profound challenge and of tremendous growth, always with a clear sense of what Eskort stands for and where it needs to go.
“The business he is handing over is stronger, more innovative and more widely loved than ever. On behalf of the board, I want to express our gratitude for his leadership and his legacy,” Braak said.
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