JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Only a couple months after announcing the retirement of its chief executive officer, Astral Foods, a large integrated poultry company in South Africa, also announced the resignation of Frans van Heerden as executive director and managing director of Poultry Commercial, effective Jan. 30, 2025.

After serving with the company for 18 years, van Heerden plans to pursue a career outside the poultry industry, according to Astral.

Van Heerden first joined Astral in the internal audit department. Following a series of appointments to different financial management positions, he became chief operating officer of the Poultry Commercial division in 2017. In 2020, van Heerden was appointed as managing director of the division, and he was elected to the board of directors in 2021.

“The board of directors would like to thank Frans for his invaluable contributions to the company’s success over the past 18 years and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors,” the Astral board of directors said.

In August, Astral announced current CEO Chris Schutte plans for retire. His last day with the company will coincide with that of van Heerden’s. Schutte will continue to consult the business in 2025.