Zambeef Plc has appointed Walter Roodt as the company’s chief executive director with immediate effect.

In a statement availed by sponsoring broker, Pangaea Securities Limited, Roodt has been installed as the agro-processing giant’s new executive director with immediate effect.

According to the statement, it is envisaged that he will subsequently take over outgoing joint-chief executive officer Francis Grogan’s position when the latter retires by the end of this year.

“Zambeef, the fully integrated food producer with operations in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana, announces the appointment of Walter Roodt to its Board as an Executive Director with immediate effect. Walter currently serves as the Group’s Deputy Managing Director, reporting to and understudying the CEO, Francis Grogan. As part of the Group’s succession plan, which has been previously announced, Walter will be appointed CEO when Mr Grogan retires at the end of this year,” the statement read.

“Walter joined Zambeef in July, 2008 in the role of Nutritionist for the stock feed division, trading as Novatek. A year later, he was appointed as the General Manager of the division, a position he held until he was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of the Group. Under his leadership, the stock feed division grew into the Group’s best performing division and became Zambia’s leading stock feed manufacturer.”

And Zambeef Plc board chairperson Dr Jacob Mwanza hailed Roodt’s appointment

“Walter’s appointment as an Executive Director is in line with the Group’s well-considered succession plan and is validation of his hard work and commitment to the Group over the past 11 years. The Board looks forward to working closely with Walter in his new role,” stated Dr Mwanza, who is also a former Bank of Zambia governor.