FreshLeaf Hydro Farms — Management Team & Organisational Structure
Mr Naidoo is an experienced agribusiness entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience in commercial farming operations in South Africa. He has successfully established and managed two prior agricultural ventures, developing extensive relationships with major retail off-takers and fresh produce distributors. Mr…
Section 5 · Business Plan
Management Team & Organisational Structure
Mr Naidoo is an experienced agribusiness entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience in commercial farming operations in South Africa. He has successfully established and managed two prior agricultural ventures, developing extensive relationships with major retail off-takers and fresh produce distributors. Mr…
5.1 Executive Management
James Naidoo – Managing Director
Mr Naidoo is an experienced agribusiness entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience in commercial farming operations in South Africa. He has successfully established and managed two prior agricultural ventures, developing extensive relationships with major retail off-takers and fresh produce distributors. Mr Naidoo holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has completed executive education programmes in agricultural business management at Stellenbosch University.
Hendrik Visser – Operations Director
Mr Visser is a qualified agricultural engineer with deep specialist expertise in greenhouse design, hydroponic system engineering, and controlled environment agriculture. He has spent 15 years working in the Dutch greenhouse industry, including senior technical roles at leading European hydroponic technology companies. Mr Visser holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is a registered Professional Engineer with ECSA.
Nandi Mthembu CA(SA) – Finance Director
Ms Mthembu is a qualified Chartered Accountant CA(SA) with 10 years of experience in agricultural investment and finance, including roles at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and a Big Four accounting firm where she specialised in agribusiness advisory and transaction support. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science (Honours) degree from the University of Johannesburg and completed her articles at Deloitte.
Lauren Jacobs – Strategic Investor and Non-Executive Director
Ms Jacobs is an experienced investor in sustainable agriculture and food supply chain businesses. She brings strategic insight and an extensive network in the food retail and distribution sectors. Ms Jacobs holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
5.2 Staffing Plan
| Position | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3-5 | Monthly Cost (Avg) |
| Executive Management | 3 | 3 | 4 | R85,000 |
| Farm Supervisors | 2 | 3 | 4 | R25,000 |
| Greenhouse Technicians | 6 | 10 | 14 | R15,000 |
| Packing & Logistics Staff | 4 | 6 | 8 | R12,000 |
| Administrative Staff | 2 | 2 | 3 | R18,000 |
| Sales & Marketing | 1 | 2 | 3 | R30,000 |
| Quality & Food Safety | 1 | 1 | 2 | R22,000 |
| Total Headcount | 19 | 27 | 38 | |
| Total Monthly Payroll | R531,000 | R738,000 | R1,042,000 | |
| Annual Payroll Cost | R6,372,000 | R8,856,000 | R12,504,000 |
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