Astral Foods, a leading South African poultry company, has announced that its CEO and executive director, Chris Schutte, will retire on 30 January 2025, after serving in the role for over 15 years. Schutte’s retirement aligns with the company’s Human Resources Policy, which mandates retirement for executive directors at the age of 65.
The board of directors at Astral has accepted Schutte’s request for retirement and has initiated a formal process to find his successor. A further announcement will be made once a replacement is chosen.
Theuns Eloff, the non-executive chairman of Astral, expressed understanding and support for Schutte’s decision, acknowledging his long-standing service in the South African poultry industry. Eloff highlighted Schutte’s impressive 41-year career in the industry, including his 16-year leadership at Astral, which has earned him recognition as one of the longest-serving CEOs of a JSE-listed company.
Even after his retirement, Schutte will remain connected to Astral in a strategic consulting role starting 1 February 2025, for a period of one year. In this capacity, he will focus on ensuring a smooth transition for the new CEO, maintaining key relationships, and providing strategic guidance to Astral’s executive team and board.
Reflecting on his tenure, Schutte expressed confidence in the experienced executive team he leaves behind, noting their capability to lead Astral into its next phase of growth. He emphasized the strength and expertise of his executive committee, which has been deeply involved in managing the company’s extensive stakeholder relationships.
