When Kevin Hedderwick stepped down as CEO of Famous Brands, he wasn't sure what he would do next, but he had no intention of taking it easy. He was strategic adviser of the group for a year after he relinquished the top job and in that time guided it through purchases in manufacturing to help bolster the back end of the business, and cemented some key deals, including buying Gourmet Burger Kitchen in the UK. The role as strategic adviser came to an end in March, but Hedderwick wasn't interested in spending his time on leisure activities. He doesn't play golf or fish; he'd spent his early life in the trenches at Distillers Corporation and then SAB before moving to build Famous Brands into the foremost casual dining and food franchise business in South Africa - from a company with an R80-million market capitalisation when he joined it to one worth R14-billion when he resigned as CEO. He's a hands-on person, and couldn't imagine his life "just as a nonexecutive".Brian Joffe and Hedderw...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.