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There’s been a changing of the guard at the Woodlands Dairy in the Eastern Cape where a woman will be leading the company into the future.
Helen McDougall began her tenure as the new Chief Executive Officer on 1 October, after founder and CEO for the past 23 years, Lex Gutsche announced that he was stepping down.
“Whilst never an easy decision to step back from the daily action, it has been made easier through the appointment of a strong person to take my place.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce Helen McDougall as the incoming CEO,” he said in a brief statement.
Gutsche, who started Woodlands Dairy 29 years ago, said he would step back immediately to the role of Executive Chairman “for a period to be determined later”.
He said McDougall has a great depth of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry having served another multi-national dairy company for five years, and was General Manager of Mars South Africa, having been with them for nine years.
“I am confident Helen brings new diverse ideas to the table, is a determined successful woman who will not only inspire her management team, but also all the other female members of our company,” Gutsche said.
According to Dairy Business Africa, Gutsche Family Investments (GFI), a family-owned business, is the major shareholder in the Woodlands Dairy Group and owns 75% of the business.
"Two black-owned partners, namely African Pioneer Group (Pty) and Nozala Investments (Pty) Ltd, jointly hold 25% of the company," it said.
