The announcement of Conrad Schutte as the new CEO of Vinpro ushers in a new era for the wine industry body representing close to 2 600 South African wine producers, cellars and stakeholders in the wine industry.
Schutte, currently the manager of consultation services at Vinpro, takes over the reins on 1 June from Rico Basson, who was recently appointed as the CEO of the newly formed wine industry umbrella body, SA Wine. “I am very excited about this new challenge,” says Schutte. “I look forward to utilising my aspiration for people development, the crystallisation of strategic direction, my technical understanding of the industry and my adequate international experience in my new role and for the benefit of Vinpro.”
Schutte has been employed at Vinpro for the past 13 years. He obtained his Hons. BSc. (Agric) in Viticulture in 2001 from Stellenbosch University. He then worked as a viticulturist at Michigan State University and Thelema Mountain Vineyards, after which he joined Vinpro as a regional consultant in 2010. In 2017 he obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) Cum Laude from Stellenbosch University. He has been manager of the consultation service department at Vinpro since 2019.
“We are looking forward to this new phase Vinpro will enter,” says Anton Smuts, Vinpro Chairman. “Conrad, who has been part of the Vinpro family for some time and has a strong technical background, is the perfect person to manage the new direction the Vinpro group is taking to work collaboratively with SA Wine while re focusing on plant improvement, technical production and specialised services and the information needs of our wine producers. We wish him all the best in his new role.”
Vinpro is a non-profit company which represents close to 2 600 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders. Vinpro’s investments include, among others, a 100% interest in Vititec Pty Ltd and a 75% interest in Farm MS (Pty) Ltd.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Wanda Augustyn
Vinpro Communications Manager
Tel: 021 276 0458
E-mail: wanda@wineland.co.za
