Our Leadership Team

Our leadership team

Our people are passionate about doing business the right way.
Making your dreams our business.

Donnie Smith

After successfully leading 110 000 team members at Tyson Foods as its CEO, elevating the company’s stock price from $12.50 a share to $73.60... READ MORE

Donnie Smith

After successfully leading 110 000 team members at Tyson Foods as its CEO, elevating the company’s stock price from $12.50 a share to $73.60, today Donnie acts as the Chairman of Buchan, Irvine’s Group holding company. Having joined Tyson Foods in 1980, Donnie gained experience across every level of the Tyson Foods business, from operations to commodities and management, eventually leading the organisation as CEO from 2009 to become a company with a conscience; focused on feeding the world great, affordable food, while also making a positive difference in people's lives. With over 43 years’ experience and a shared passion for upliftment, Donnie is one of Irvine’s key decision makers. A native of Tennessee, Donnie graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a B.A. degree in animal science.

“I want to see the next billion be given a better chance than those before them. I hunger to see the hungry fed.” Donnie Smith

David Irvine

David studied his BSc (Agric) at the University of Natal between 1965 and 1968. In 1969, he worked as a trainee at the Cobb Breeding Co, Chelmsford UK before moving... READ MORE

David Irvine

David studied his BSc (Agric) at the University of Natal between 1965 and 1968. In 1969, he worked as a trainee at the Cobb Breeding Co, Chelmsford UK before moving back to Irvine’s Day-Old Chicks to work alongside his father and founder, Mr William Irvine. David took over from his father as Managing Director in 1990 before assuming his role as Chief Executive Officer for Irvine’s Zimbabwe in 2009. With over 40 years’ hands on, integrated experience across all aspects of poultry production, David transformed Irvine’s into the largest poultry producer in Zimbabwe. David acts as the Chairman of Irvine’s Day-Old Chicks and is Managing Director of Irvine’s Zimbabwe. He lives by the words,

“quote”.

Craig Irvine

After graduating Cum Laude from the University of Natal with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Poultry Science), Craig spent three years abroad with Cobb... READ MORE

Craig Irvine

After graduating Cum Laude from the University of Natal with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Poultry Science), Craig spent three years abroad with Cobb, Europe and Tyson, USA before heading home to Irvine’s. Having grown up in the business, Craig understands every aspect of Irvine’s, from the farm to the boardroom table. Committed and courageous, Craig has played an instrumental role in driving Irvine’s growth across Africa. Craig was named EY's World Entrepreneur of The Year Master Class Category for Southern Africa (2019) in recognition of his passion and persistence in developing and nurturing poultry farming businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. Craig is the Chief Executive Officer of Irvine’s International and is a director of Buchan and all its subsidiaries.

“When we go to new markets, we don’t want to compete with our customers we want to partner with them. We really value local partners.”

John R. Tyson

A fourth-generation member of the Tyson family John R. Tyson joined the Tyson Foods team in 2019. Today he serves as the Executive Vice President, Strategy & Chief... READ MORE

John R. Tyson

A fourth-generation member of the Tyson family John R. Tyson joined the Tyson Foods team in 2019. Today he serves as the Executive Vice President, Strategy & Chief Sustainability Officer, leading the company’s efforts to support a more sustainable protein system from strategic implementation to diversity, equity & inclusion and corporate social responsibility teams. With a Bachelors’ Degree in Economics from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, John previously worked as a private equity and venture capital investor. A lecturer at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, John also serves on the Board of Directors of Winrock International, is a team member of the Council on Foreign Relations and sits on the Buchan board.

Patrick Murphy

Patrick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Natal and began his career with Alltech, a global organization selling... READ MORE

Patrick Murphy

Patrick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Natal and began his career with Alltech, a global organization selling animal feed additives. He opened an office in the UAE, to better service the Middle East region whilst completing a four-year Advanced Management and Business Development Programme with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. He joined the Irvine’s Group in 2009 as the General Manager for Cobb Africa, working across the Sub-Saharan Africa region growing sales and footprint. Having worked in over 20 countries across Africa and the Middle East, Patrick is passionate about operating in informal and developing markets whilst identifying areas for new business development. He acts as Chief Commercial Officer of Irvine’s International and is responsible for Irvine’s Group Commercial Strategy whilst supporting Irvine’s customers and commercial teams across Sub Saharan Africa.

Dr Sanjay Maharaj

Sanjay completed his BSc Masters degree from the University of Natal and joined Rainbow Chickens (Pty) Ltd as a Laboratory Technologist... READ MORE

Dr Sanjay Maharaj

Sanjay completed his BSc Masters degree from the University of Natal and joined Rainbow Chickens (Pty) Ltd as a Laboratory Technologist responsible for Virology and Vaccine Production. He completed his PhD in 1994 working on a vaccine for commercial chicken flocks, which soon became a part of the vaccination programme at Rainbow Chickens. In 1996, Sanjay was recognised as the top student in the Stellenbosch University Management Development Programme. After being promoted to Technical Manager at the Rainbow Chickens laboratory, Sanjay joined the production team as Hatcheries Area Manager, before moving through various management roles within the company.  In 2007, he was appointed as Agricultural Executive for the KwaZulu-Natal Region and in 2014 became the Agricultural Executive responsible for KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo. In 2018, Sanjay was appointed to the position of Agriculture and Breed Director of the Chicken Operations for RCL Foods. With 33 years’ experience in the poultry industry, Sanjay was appointed as Chief Operations Officer at Irvine’s International in 2021.

Dharmendra Misra

Dharmendra started his HR journey in the South African Police Services, leading the implementation and automation of a nationwide HR system. After moving into... READ MORE

Dharmendra Misra

Dharmendra started his HR journey in the South African Police Services, leading the implementation and automation of a nationwide HR system. After moving into the financial services industry, he led the new people management processes across (which bank?) Retail Bank. Dharmendra then joined SABMiller’s Global Business Services in 2013, leading the transformation and incorporation of SABM-Africa’s people functions into the global model, delivering a new people engagement model whilst developing a new leadership programme. Part of the ‘convergence planning team’ supporting people integration during the Anheuser-Busch InBev acquisition of SABMiller Plc Dharmendra later, as Senior Director of People, led the “implementation and transition of people” function across Africa to the ABI model. Dharmendra was key in standardising people processes across Africa, the implementation of a single payroll platform as well as developing a leadership and engagement model in support of a culture of performance and inclusivity. Dharmendra was appointed as Chief People Officer to Irvine’s International in 2020.

Jan van den Berg

After completing his articles at Price Waterhouse Coopers, Jan spent 18 years at SABMiller, now ABInbev, working across four continents in various senior... READ MORE

Jan van den Berg

After completing his articles at Price Waterhouse Coopers, Jan spent 18 years at SABMiller, now ABInbev, working across four continents in various senior financial roles before joining Diageo in 2018, based first in Ethiopia and then later at the Diageo Africa Emerging Markets division in South Africa. An accomplished finance executive with extensive, global experience in operational finance, mergers and acquisitions and business integration, Jan drives well-governed, future-focused financial management, cost reduction and productivity improvement. He is skilled at navigating cultural and geographic diversity and is passionate about improving operational efficiencies, which consistently translates into business growth, capitalised profits and streamlined strategic execution of business imperatives across diverse markets and business segments. Jan joined the Irvine’s Group in 2023 as Chief Financial Officer of Irvine’s International and is responsible for Irvine’s Group Finance strategy, supporting Irvine’s finance teams across Sub Saharan Africa.

Our people are passionate about doing business the right way.
Making your dreams our business.

Donnie Smith

David Irvine

Craig Irvine

John R. Tyson

Patrick Murphy

Dr Sanjay Maharaj

Dharmendra Misra

Jan van den Berg

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Our people are passionate about doing business the right way. Making your dreams our business.

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Get in touch

info@irvines.co.za

sales@irvineschicken.co.bw

office@irvines.co.mz

sales@irvines.co.tz

Our people are passionate about doing business the right way.
Making your dreams our business.