WEST PERTH, AUSTRALIA — The CBH Group announced on Jan. 23 that it has begun an extensive search for a new head of its marketing, accumulation and trading division following the resignation of CBH Grain General Manager Brian Mumme.

CBH Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Crane said he had accepted Mumme’s resignation with regret following his decision to return to the oil and gas industry as president of North West Shelf Australia LNG.

“Brian has built a strong team that has won and held an impressive market share up against some of the world’s largest grain traders,” Crane said. “On Brian’s watch, CBH Grain has become the leading grain exporter out of Western Australia and one of the biggest in Australia. This is one of the most attractive and important positions in the Australian grain industry and I am confident we will draw a strong field of internal and external candidates.”

Crane said Mumme had been a key contributor to the CBH Group executive team since joining CBH in August 2008.

“He has led CBH Grain and its predecessor Grain Pool of Western Australia through the dramatic first years of grain export deregulation,” he said. “CBH has benefitted greatly through the past three and a half years from Brian’s extensive international supply chain and trading experience.

“The focus on running robust and trustworthy pools, a grower friendly approach to contracting and the implementation of a unique rebate of charges are some of the initiatives CBH Grain has implemented to show growers that a co-operative like CBH Is serious about winning their business.

“Most importantly, Brian has developed a very strong marketing, trading and accumulation team around him that will ensure CBH Grain does not miss a beat in marketing this year’s harvest while we recruit his successor.”

CBH Grain Strategy Manager Bryce Banfield has been appointed acting general manager CBH Grain until a permanent replacement is appointed.