Page 205 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

MICHAEL YEADON

ichael Yeadon has a ‘hands-on role’ as including Starke Ayres, Triton Express, Jupidex, Pidelta, was definitely a proud moment,” he says. However,
executive chairman of the Plennegy Mascor and Wembley College, each with its own focus. a significant accomplishment came when the
Group. His educational journey saw him “I chair all the boards but don’t involve myself directly American company DuPont acquired Pannar Seed.
Mmatriculate at Greytown High School in the day-to-day running,” he explains. “My purpose “I was appointed as managing director,” he recalls.
before heading to the University of KwaZulu-Natal is to maintain the family legacy – looking after family “Even though we were selling our shares, they chose
in Pietermaritzburg, where he completed a bachelor members and employees, and ensuring our operations me to lead. However, once the family completely sold
of commerce with a focus on accounting and law, remain sustainable.” out, it was time for us to move on.”
followed by a bachelor of law. He began his career
by articling with Cox Yeats Attorneys in Durban, Michael describes the business as a “second- Michael commented that he has been complimented
working under Campbell Alexander. “Graham Cox generation family endeavour,” noting the involvement for being an authentic leader. “Authenticity can
and Alistair Hay were also significant influences of his younger brother and brother-in-law in the be difficult,” he admits. “It’s not always easy to tell
during my time there,” he recalls. To accelerate his operations and his wife and sister in the community the truth, but it’s necessary.” He lists key leadership
qualification, Michael attended the University of operations. “The purpose is continuity,” he asserts. qualities that he strives to embody: “Self-awareness,
Durban’s practical legal training, which allowed him “We aim to keep things running smoothly for another decisiveness, logical thinking, and active listening. I
to be admitted as an attorney at the Pietermaritzburg 65 years, building on the foundation laid in 1958 by believe in open communication. My door is always
High Court after just 18 months. Brian Corbishley.” He explains that the agricultural open.” However, he acknowledges the need for
focus, especially in seed research and development boundaries. “Not everyone can come to me directly,
With the ink still drying on his attorney’s certificate, and production, is central to the company’s mission. but I ensure there is a clear structure in place for
Michael’s ambitions took him to London, where he Brian Corbishley’s passion for agriculture was driven issues to be resolved.”
spent a year undertaking various roles within the by a desire to feed Africa, which was intertwined
banking sector, including stints at HSBC, Bankers with the aim of generating profit. At the time of its Leading by example is also crucial to Michael’s
Trust, and Chubb Insurance. “It was all temporary sale, the company was responsible for supplying approach. “No task is too small for me,” he says. “If
work,” he explains, “but it provided a wealth of approximately 70 - 80% of the subsistence food in you think a task is beneath you, then you’re in the
experience.” Upon his return to South Africa, he sub-Saharan Africa through various programmes. wrong organisation.”
joined Arthur Andersen in Johannesburg, working in Michael’s inspiration comes from both past and
international tax. “Agriculture may be at the base of the food chain,” present. “My stepfather was a visionary,” he recalls.
Michael acknowledges, “but it’s the most crucial link.
The transition to Standard Bank’s Corporate and Without seeds, land, and farming, there is no food.” “He was the driving force behind the company, and
Merchant Banking division marked Michael’s shift to I’ve always aspired to follow in his footsteps.” On a
structured finance. “I spent three years there, selling The passing of his stepfather eight years ago left personal level, his wife inspires him ‘to lead a good
structured finance products to blue-chip clients,” he Michael in a difficult position. “My stepfather was the life and to show determination’. In the business
says. “Those were formative years,” he notes. Con- figurehead of the family business,” he explains. “I was realm, Michael’s younger brother stands out. “He’s
currently, he earned a Master of Commerce (MCom) the second youngest, not the eldest, yet I had to step astute, hardworking, and always gets things done,”
in financial management, a challenging endeavour into his shoes.” Navigating family dynamics while commented Michael. “We make a good team.”
given his legal background. “I was the only trained trying to keep the business afloat proved challenging. Looking to the future, Michael sees an opportunity
lawyer in the programme, which brought a unique for businesses to step up. “We need to go beyond
perspective to the class,” he adds. Michael highlights the importance of having allies
within the business, such as his younger brother, profit,” he asserts. “Helping communities is now
Eventually, the call of the family business became older sister, wife and brother-in-law. “Between the five essential.” Plennegy has increased its corporate social
irresistible. “My wife and I moved back to Greytown, of us, we’ve kept the group of companies sustainable, investment in education through Wembley College.
where I became the legal and commercial director providing jobs for 4,500 people.” He stresses the “KZN businesses must play a role in uplifting the
at Pannar Seed, the business my stepfather Brian weight of this responsibility: “These families rely on communities in which they operate,” he argues. “The
Corbishley founded in 1958,” he recounts. This us to keep things going.” government cannot do it alone.”
decision marked the beginning of his 22-year journey
within the Plennegy Group. AN AUTHENTIC LEADER In closing he says, “My motto is to say what I mean
and mean what I say. Authenticity isn’t just a business
Reflecting on his career, Michael highlights several principle; it’s a way of life.” This guiding principle
MAINTAINING THE FAMILY LEGACY
key moments. “Graduating with an LLB and later helps him navigate the complexities of running a
Plennegy serves as the umbrella for several companies, an MCom while holding down a demanding job family business while maintaining personal integrity.
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