By: Bianke Neethling • Daily Investor

Astral Foods CEO Chris Schutte has requested to retire from his position at the company at the end of January next year.

The company announced via SENS this morning that Schutte requested to retire from his position as CEO and Executive Director of Astral with effect from 30 January 2025 at the company’s next Annual General Meeting. 

In line with Astral’s Human Resources Policy, the retirement age of Executive Directors is 65, and Schutte’s mandatory retirement would have occurred in 2025. 

However, the board considered and accepted this personal request. A formal replacement process has been initiated, and a further announcement will be made once this has been completed.

“Although we are saddened by Chris’s decision, we respect his request for retirement with the utmost understanding and sympathy for his personal and family circumstances,” said Astral non-executive chairman Dr Theuns Eloff.

“Chris has been a poultry man for 41 years, steadfastly serving the South African poultry industry. Chris has been at the helm leading Astral for the past 16 years, at the same time achieving the recognition as one of the longest serving CEOs of a listed JSE company.”

“Chris has a very special set of management and Board skills, with a wealth of knowledge in the poultry industry.”

Schutte has agreed to consult Astral in a strategic role from 1 February 2025 for a period of one year. 

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Chris for his leadership and valuable guidance during his tenure at Astral. We wish Chris and Reinette well for the next chapter in their lives”, Eloff said.

Following the worst financial period in the Group’s history for the year ended 30 September 2023, Astral is currently in a solid and healthy financial position. 

This is due to the successful implementation of a focused turnaround strategy in the 2024 financial year. 

In the consultant role, Chris will focus on ensuring a smooth transition process with the incoming CEO, continue to facilitate key stakeholder engagement and provide strategic insight to both the Astral Executive Team and the Board.

“I have always involved my Exco in our dealings with a myriad of stakeholders, and this well-established team is highly experienced and regarded as best-in-industry,” Schutte said.

“I am confident that I am handing over to a competent team who are willing and able to take the group forward in the next phase of Astral’s growth journey.”