The Lactalis South Africa General Manager takes over at the 109-year-old pork producer on 1 March 2027, succeeding Arnold Prinsloo, who retires after 22 years with the business.
The board of First Food Brands is pleased to announce the appointment of Herman Janse van Rensburg as Group Chief Executive Officer of Eskort, South Africa’s leading antibiotic-free pork producer, 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.
“We are delighted to welcome Herman to Eskort,” says Board Chair Gerard Braak. “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.”
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. Lactalis South Africa forms part of the global Lactalis Group and operates a national dairy manufacturing and distribution network employing approximately 2,700 people.
“I am honoured to be joining Eskort at such an exciting point in its journey,” says Janse van Rensburg. “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.”
Arnold Prinsloo’s 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,” says Braak. “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.”
Questions and answers
When does Herman Janse van Rensburg officially become Group CEO? His official appointment as Group CEO takes effect on 1 March 2027. He joins Eskort’s management team on 1 January 2027 for a two-month induction period, during which retiring CEO Arnold Prinsloo will be involved in the handover.
What is his background? He has spent 16 years at Lactalis South Africa, one of the country’s leading dairy businesses, progressing through financial management, executive management control, commercial and marketing roles, and the position of Chief Operating Officer before being appointed General Manager of Lactalis South Africa in July 2023.
Why was he appointed? The board of First Food Brands identified Janse van Rensburg as a leader with the financial expertise, operational depth and executive experience to drive Eskort’s continued growth. His track record at Lactalis South Africa (previously Parmalat), building and managing a large-scale national food business with a 94-year history, makes him well suited to lead Eskort into its next phase.
What has Arnold Prinsloo contributed? During his nearly 20-year tenure as CEO, Prinsloo oversaw Eskort’s transformation into a modern, innovation-led food business, the expansion of its retail network to more than 30 retail stores across eight provinces, and the development of a product range exceeding 300 lines. He will retire on 28 February 2027.
What does this appointment mean for Eskort’s direction? The board has signalled its intention to maintain and build on the strategic momentum Eskort has developed under Prinsloo’s leadership, while continuing to grow the brand’s retail footprint, product innovation and market presence. Janse van Rensburg’s background in a major national food business positions him to lead that growth with operational rigour and commercial insight.
What is First Food Brands? First Food Brands owns and operates Eskort.
About Eskort. Eskort is a 109-year-old proudly South African brand with small-town roots and a national footprint. It has two factories, in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg, Gauteng, and 31 stores to date. Eskort is South Africa’s leading antibiotic-free pork manufacturer with quality you can trust since 1917. Visit eskort.com for more on its South African success story.
Press release · Published by Hospitality Marketplace as supplied by Eskort. Images: Eskort.
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