SOUTH AFRICA – The multi-brand food group, Real Foods has appointed two former JSE-listed company CEOs as new directors ahead of planned future listings, reports Business Day.

Former Famous Brands CEO Kevin Hedderwick will join the unlisted holding company as new Group Strategic Director while Antony Ball, former Brait CEO has joined its board.

Real Foods has a portfolio of natural foods bent towards health and wellness under the brands Kauai, Nü Health Food Café and Kohu and Highveld Honey.

The group operates 160 stores under its various brands, and has started selling Kauai-branded products via grocery chain Checkers.

“It is a compliment to us and our business model that Kevin, who is so highly respected in the food industry, has chosen to join Real Foods above the many options available to him,” said Real Foods CEO Dean Kowarski.

“Kevin believes that the growth of the natural foods sector is exceptional and that Real Foods is best positioned to take advantage of this growth.

Kevin is a highly experienced and well regarded business leader and we have no doubt that his expertise will bolster the ambitious growth and potential future listing plans that we have for the group.”

Kevin Hedderwick in January resigned as nonexecutive director of Famous Brands, eight months after his board appointment.

In 2017, Hedderwick resigned as COO and executive director at lifestyle investment company Long4Life (L4L), five months later to pursue personal interests.

Speaking on his appointment, Hedderwick said: “Real Foods’ passion for authentic, premium quality real foods is attractive and I am optimistic about the company’s success in a high growth segment.

After spending much time in the listed corporate environment, I look forward to being part of the dynamic, agile and entrepreneurial, yet uncompromisingly results-driven culture at Real Foods.”

On Ball, Kowarski said, “Ball is known as a pioneering private equity practitioner and as one of the most astute and respected investors in South Africa.”

During his tenure at Brait, the company successfully raised four funds, listed on the JSE and the company completed many successful transactions.