Service delivery tops agenda of new PPECB CEO

Stuart Symington, newly appointed CEO of South Africa’s Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), is set to take up his new position on February 1. Symington has been tasked with overhauling the PPECB and bringing it into line with customer needs and demands. “We need to make some meaningful changes,” said Symington, who was previously CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum. “The board has requested that I look at the business under a microscope and take the organisation to a new level of service delivery,” he said. “It is important to understand that the fresh produce business has changed worldwide, and that one must adapt and stay relevant for the times. The food industry has changed, the markets have changed, standards have changed, and so it is tough to expect an agency like the PPECB to keep up to date, but one must.” He said returning to basics, restoring belief in the organisation, and taking it to a new level of service delivery were high on the agenda in the coming months as well as ensuring the core mandate of the organisation was in place. “The PPECB is a very old organisation with many good people in the company trying to make a difference,” he told FTW. “But we are all going to have to get our thinking caps on and come to terms with how the markets have changed and how we, as an organisation, need to align ourselves with those changes.” According to Symington 2012 holds some major opportunities for southern Africa despite the economic fears in certain parts of the world. “Naturally, world economic events are very concerning at the moment. But I believe that within this global scenario there are opportunities that we need to capitalise on. It is certainly not doom and gloom everywhere for everyone.” Symington replaces Luvuyo Mabombo who left the PPECB in August last year. The industry has welcomed his appointment as his vast industry knowledge is believed to be just what the PPECB needs to take it forward, restore belief in the organisation and give its members a competitive advantage.