Corporate governance

Corporate Governance Framework
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Our Corporate Governance Framework summarises the principles, methodologies and procedures that support effective governance and living our values. The Framework aligns with the King IV Report on Corporate Governance™ for South Africa, 2016.
Board of directors
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The Board acts as the focal point for and custodian of corporate governance. Each director’s skills, experience and qualifications are appropriate to ensure that the Board has the necessary skills and experience to discharge its governance role and responsibilities in line with the Board Charter, the JSE Listings Requirements and King IV principles.
Board committees
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The Board is supported by three committees, two ad hoc committees, the executive committee and subsidiary boards. Committees have specific charters or terms of reference, appropriately skilled members, senior management participation and access to specialist advice when necessary.

Audit and risk | Social, ethics and transformation | Remuneration | Nomination | Investment

Board of directors

Wouter André Hanekom<

Wouter André Hanekom

Chairman

André was appointed to the Board on 1 October 2014 and elected as chairman of the Board on 28 April 2015.

Committee membership

Remuneration | Social, ethics and transformation | Nomination (chair) | Investment

Qualifications

CA(SA)

Geoffrey George Fortuin

Geoffrey George Fortuin

Lead independent director

Geoff was appointed to the Board on 28 April 2015 and appointed as lead independent director on 9 September 2021.

Committee membership

Audit and risk (chair) | Remuneration (chair) | Nomination

Qualifications

BCom (Acc), BCom (Acc) (Hons), CA(SA)

Pieter Francois Theron Burger

Pieter Francois Theron Burger

Independent non-executive director

Piet was appointed to the Board on 29 July 2024.

Committee membership

Audit and risk | Social, ethics and transformation

Qualifications

B Eng (Chemical), MBA

Larry Wilson Riddle

Larry Wilson Riddle

Independent non-executive director

Larry was appointed to the Board on 28 September 2020.

Committee membership

Audit and risk | Remuneration | Nomination | Investment (chair)

Qualifications

BCom, BAccSc(Hons), CA(SA)

Gary Vaughan-Smith

Gary Vaughan-Smith

Non-executive director

Gary was appointed to the Board on 19 February 2021.

Committee membership

Social, ethics and transformation (chair) | Investment

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Mathematical Statistics, MPhil Finance, Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Adel Deidré Van Der Merwe

Adel Deidré Van Der Merwe

Chief executive officer

Adel has been with Quantum Foods since 2008 and was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2024.

Qualifications

BCom Management Accounting

André Hugo Muller

André Hugo Muller

Chief financial officer

André was appointed to the Board on 27 January 2014.

Qualifications

CA(SA)

Ziyanda Patience Wakashe

Ziyanda Patience Wakashe

Company secretary and legal advisor

Ziyanda was appointed on 20 September 2022.

Qualifications

LLB, Certificate in Compliance Management

Governance structure and committees

The board of directors delegates certain responsibilities to Board committees. Each committee is led by a non-executive or independent non-executive director, and their charters are reviewed annually to ensure that their duties and responsibilities are in line with good corporate governance requirements.

Board of directors

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Audit and risk committee
Social, ethics and transformation committee
Remuneration committee
Nomination committee
Investment committee
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Ensures that risk management is adequately addressed
Monitors sustainable development and the Group’s non-financial performance
Reviews and approves executive remuneration and executive succession planning, and assists the Board in reviewing remuneration of non-executive directors
Conducts recruitment processes and recommends suitable candidates to the Board to fill Board vacancies
Assists management with evaluating potential capital expenditure and financing, to be approved by the Board

Executive management

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IT Steering committee

Optimises the total investment in technology and information systems, and provides guidance to management regarding the appropriate use of technology and information services

Subsidiary boards

Ethics

The Social, Ethics and Transformation Committee monitors ethics management and adherence to the Group’s code of conduct, which is reviewed annually. Local anonymous tip-off lines are available to stakeholders in Quantum Foods’ operating jurisdictions (South Africa, Zambia, Uganda and Mozambique).

Quantum Foods’ Code of Ethics contains our commitments to:

  • Being a good corporate citizen
  • Enabling socio-economic transformation
  • Being the business partner and employer of choice in the areas where we operate
  • Achieving and continually improving employment equity
  • Adding sustainable value for key stakeholders
  • Adhering to internationally accepted standards
  • Auditing our farms and operating facilities regularly
  • Adhering to world-class animal production procedures and complying with all relevant legislative guidelines
  • Adhering to the laws of the countries in which we operate, with ethical behaviour going beyond abiding by the law

Quantum Foods will strive for all our stakeholders to:

  • Not be subject to any form of unfair discrimination or harassment
  • Not be subjected to forced, child or compulsory labour
  • Provide just, safe and favourable conditions of work
  • Protect freedom of conscience
  • Protect freedom of expression
  • Protect their right to privacy
  • Have freedom of collective bargaining and association
  • Avoid involuntary resettlement where possible
  • Ensure fair remuneration
  • Ensure security personnel are trained in human rights
  • Have access to a grievance mechanism

Whistleblowing hotline

quantumfoods@tip-offs.com | www.tip-offs.com | KZN 138, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320, South Africa

South Africa

0800 222 364

0800 00 77 88 (fax)

Mozambique

800 112 233

800 333 312

Uganda

800 100 255

Zambia

260- 971 231 250

Remuneration

Our remuneration structures strike the necessary balance between creating long-term, sustainable value for our investors while delivering high-quality customer service and appropriately incentivising our employees. Employee incentivisation is aligned with shareholder interests through performance-related short- and long-term incentives, and the remuneration of non-executive directors is subject to regular industry benchmarking.