By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the prominent quick-service restaurants (QSRs) in Nigeria, Tantalizers Plc, has appointed a Dutch-trained engineer, Mr Robert Speijer, as its new group managing director.
He has been brought into the firm to lead its transformation to become a highly diversified company with strategic holdings in the food, entertainment and blue economy space.
On Wednesday, Business Post reported the changes made to the board of the organisation after new investors acquired a majority stake in the company.
The new board believes that Mr Speijer, who trained at the Merchant Navy Academy and is a certified blue economy professional, is the best man to take the organisation to an enviable height.
This is because he has over 30 years of experience cutting across the blue economy, oil and gas and the maritime sector.
He was Group Executive Director at Jagal Group and NigerDock with responsibilities for business development; Vice President of Africa for Inchcape Shipping Services and Director for Business Development (West Africa) for Petrofac International, listed on the London Stock Exchange with operations in over 32 countries.
According to a statement filed to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Mr Speijer will be assisted by Mr Charles Ifidon, who has been chosen to be the new group deputy managing director and chief executive of Tantalizers Foods and Retails.
The graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife also has over 30 years of experience in hotels, hospitality and logistics.
He was at various times the chief executive of Roadnetwork Global Resources Limited and De-Vine Hotels now under the management of Presken Hotels Chain.
Mr Ifidon is a quintessential serial entrepreneur, and a foodie and is expected to bring to bear his knowledge in the agriculture, food and hospitality space; more so as the new board triggers the transformation journey at Tantalizers.
Modupe Gbadeyanka