Acorn Agri and Food is an investment vehicle that invests in companies that support food security.
Unique Characteristics
A management team with over 100 years’ experience in agriculture and food with strong networks and superior track record
Proven approach to drive achievement of the potential of our businesses
Leading position in the growing health foods market
Vertically integrated in both agriculture and food sectors
Attractive blend of local and export earnings
100 Year History
With a hundred-year legacy, Acorn Agri & Food values its historic
roots as the foundation for its past and prospective success.
Both co-operatives were converted to companies in 1998 and 1997 respectively, namely Caledon-Riviersonderend Landbou Beherend Beperk (“CRK Landbou”) and BNK Landbou Groep (“BNK Landbou”). These two entities amalgamated in 2005 to form Overberg Agri Limited.
Acorn Agri, in turn, was founded in 2014 with Overberg Agri being its first investment.
The company also invested in Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts, BKB, Lesotho Milling Company and Grassroots. Sanlam Private Wealth and African Rainbow Capital have become prominent shareholders in Acorn Agri since its inception and continue to play a key role.
A hundred years since its founding, Overberg Agri merged with Acorn Agri to form Acorn Agri & Food. Despite its historic roots, the company is focussed on investing in companies that support food security.
1918
CRK (then CBKV) founded.
1926
BNK (then BBKV) founded.
2005
Merger between BNK & CRK to create Overberg Agri.
2011
Merger between Overberg Agri & MKB.
2014
Acorn Agri founded in 2014 and invests in: Montagu, Overberg, BKB, Lesotho. Sanlam became a key shareholder in Acorn Agri.
2015
Overberg Agri invests in Moov and Agpack. Acorn Agri invests in Grassroots Group.
2016
Acorn Agri and Overberg Agri co-invest in ACG Fruit.
2017
African Rainbow Capital becomes a key shareholder in Acorn Agri.
2018
Merger between Overberg Agri and Acorn Agri.
THE FUTURE
ACG Fruit Main Office
BKB Main Office
Boltfast Main Office
Boltfast Montagu Gardens
Boltfast Vredenburg
Boltfast Port Elizabeth
Boltfast Pretoria
Bredasdorp Slagpale
Grassroots Main Office
Lesotho Milling
MOOV Fuel
Montagu Main Office
Overberg Agri Main Office
Overberg Wealth and Risk Management Main Office
Overberg Wealth and Risk Hopetown
Overberg Wealth and Risk Uitenhage
Overberg Wealth and Risk Port Elizabeth
Overberg Wealth and Risk Paarl
Overberg Wealth and Risk Oudtshoorn
Overberg Wealth and Risk Moorreesburg
Overberg Wealth and Risk Johannesburg
Overberg Wealth and Risk East London
Overberg Wealth and Risk Bredasdorp
Overberg Wealth and Risk Cape Town
P&B Lime Works
Our Values
Trusted Relationships
We are committed to be the partner of choice for all stakeholders by building strong relationships.
Supportive Nature
We strive to be the solid foundation upon which others can grow their potential.
Transparency
We believe that honesty and transparency is the best policy to create trust.
Fairness
We treat others justly and without discrimination.
Passion
We are passionate about our business, its purpose and its people.
Our Board
Cobus Visser
Vice Chairperson
- LLB
- MD of Bremer Investments
- Owns diversified farming operations in SA
- Ex-Director of Gildenhuys van der Merwe Inc
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Anita Stemmet
Non-Executive Director
- CA (SA)
- 21 years as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Currently the country lead for Cross Country Consulting
Douw de Kock
Chairperson
- BCom; CFP
- Previously chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2005
- Agriculturalist until 2006
- Financial planner at Boshoff Visser Financial Services
- Member of the audit and risk committee
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Robert Goff
Non-Executive Director
- BA and BProc
- 35 years of experience in human resources management
- Former chief executive, human resources, at Sanlam
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Chairperson of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Alwyn van der Merwe
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons) in Economics and MBA
- 32 years’ experience in the financial services industry
- Director of Investments at Sanlam Private Wealth
- Before joining Sanlam Private Wealth, he successfully managed institutional pension funds and several equity and balanced unit trusts
Dirkie Uys
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons)
- Previously vice chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2013
- Primary agriculturalist since 1996
- Chairman of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Pierre Malan
CEO
- CA (SA)
- Co-founder & CEO of Acorn Private Equity
- 11 year history at PSG Group: CEO of PSG Capital, CEO of Paladin Capital (PSG’s private equity vehicle); PSG Group Board member.
- Corporate Finance deals including: Zeder, Pioneer, KWV, KaapAgri, BKB, Overberg Agri, OVK, KLK, GWK
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Andries Geertsema
Chief Financial Officer
- CA (SA)
- Over 14 years of experience at PwC
Jan Viljoen
Non-Executive Director
- Diploma in agriculture
- Primary agriculturist since 1996
Annmarie Steyn
Company Secretary
- B.Proc. LLB; Chartered Secretary Graduate; Advanced Diploma in Labour Law
- Group Company Secretary since 2007
- Head of Compliance and Principal Officer of the AAF Pension Fund
- Trustee and Director of Overberg Agri Development Trust and Woza Phambili Enterprises.
Dr Johan van Zyl
Non-Executive Director
- PhD (Economics), D.Sc (Agric)
- Johan is the co-CEO of African Rainbow Capital as well as the CEO of UbuntuBotho Investments.
- He previously served as group CEO of Sanlam for a period of 12 years.
Douw de Kock
Chairperson
- BCom; CFP
- Previously chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2005
- Agriculturalist until 2006
- Financial planner at Boshoff Visser Financial Services
- Member of the audit and risk committee
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Jan Viljoen
Non-Executive Director
- Diploma in agriculture
- Primary agriculturist since 1996
Robert Goff
Non-Executive Director
- BA and BProc
- 35 years of experience in human resources management
- Former chief executive, human resources, at Sanlam
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
Annmarie Steyn
Company Secretary
- B.Proc. LLB; Chartered Secretary Graduate; Advanced Diploma in Labour Law
- Group Company Secretary since 2007
- Head of Compliance and Principal Officer of the AAF Pension Fund
- Trustee and Director of Overberg Agri Development Trust and Woza Phambili Enterprises.
Cobus Visser
Vice Chairperson
- LLB
- MD of Bremer Investments
- Owns diversified farming operations in SA
- Ex-Director of Gildenhuys van der Merwe Inc
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Dirkie Uys
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons)
- Previously vice chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2013
- Primary agriculturalist since 1996
- Chairperson of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Pierre Malan
CEO
- CA (SA)
- Co-founder & CEO of Acorn Private Equity
- 11 year history at PSG Group: CEO of PSG Capital, CEO of Paladin Capital (PSG’s private equity vehicle); PSG Group Board member.
- Corporate Finance deals including: Zeder, Pioneer, KWV, KaapAgri, BKB, Overberg Agri, OVK, KLK, GWK
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
Nelius Smith
Non-Executive Director
- CA (SA)
- Director of Boshoff Visser Financial Services
- Chairperson of the audit and risk committee
Alwyn van der Merwe
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons) in Economics and MBA
- 32 years’ experience in the financial services industry
- Director of Investments at Sanlam Private Wealth
- Before joining Sanlam Private Wealth, he successfully managed institutional pension funds and several equity and balanced unit trusts
Andries Geertsema
Chief Financial Officer
- CA (SA)
- Over 14 years of experience at PwC
Dr Johan van Zyl
Non-Executive Director.
- PhD (Economics), D.Sc (Agric)
- Johan is the co-CEO of African Rainbow Capital as well as the CEO of UbuntuBotho Investments.
- He previously served as group CEO of Sanlam for a period of 12 years.
Cobus Visser
Vice Chairperson
- LLB
- MD of Bremer Investments
- Owns diversified farming operations in SA
- Ex-Director of Gildenhuys van der Merwe Inc
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Douw de Kock
Chairperson
- BCom; CFP
- Previously chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2005
- Agriculturalist until 2006
- Financial planner at Boshoff Visser Financial Services
- Member of the audit and risk committee
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Dirkie Uys
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons)
- Previously vice chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2013
- Primary agriculturalist since 1996
- Chairperson of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the audit and risk committee
Jan Viljoen
Non-Executive Director
- Diploma in agriculture
- Primary agriculturist since 1996
Pierre Malan
CEO
- CA (SA)
- Co-founder & CEO of Acorn Private Equity
- 11 year history at PSG Group: CEO of PSG Capital, CEO of Paladin Capital (PSG’s private equity vehicle); PSG Group Board member.
- Corporate Finance deals including: Zeder, Pioneer, KWV, KaapAgri, BKB, Overberg Agri, OVK, KLK, GWK
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Member of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Robert Goff
Non-Executive Director
- BA and BProc
- 35 years of experience in human resources management
- Former chief executive, human resources, at Sanlam
- Member of the remuneration and nomination committee
- Chairperson of the compliance, social and ethics committee
Alwyn van der Merwe
Non-Executive Director
- BCom (Hons) in Economics and MBA
- 32 years’ experience in the financial services industry
- Director of Investments at Sanlam Private Wealth
- Before joining Sanlam Private Wealth, he successfully managed institutional pension funds and several equity and balanced unit trusts
Nelius Smith
Non-Executive Director
- CA (SA)
- Member of the audit and risk committee
- Director of Boshoff Visser Financial Services
- Chairperson of the audit and risk committee
Andries Geertsema
Chief Financial Officer
- CA (SA)
- Over 14 years of experience at PwC
Annmarie Steyn
Company Secretary
- B.Proc. LLB; Chartered Secretary Graduate; Advanced Diploma in Labour Law
- Group Company Secretary since 2007
- Head of Compliance and Principal Officer of the Group Pension Fund
- Trustee and Director of Overberg Agri Development Trust and Woza Phambili Enterprises.
Dr Johan van Zyl
Non-Executive Director.
- PhD (Economics), D.Sc (Agric)
- Johan is the co-CEO of African Rainbow Capital as well as the CEO of UbuntuBotho Investments.
- He previously served as group CEO of Sanlam for a period of 12 years.
