CBH Group Chairman Wally Newman (right) said Jimmy Wilson’s (left) experience was what the board was looking for in a new chief executive for the co-operative.
Photo courtesy of CBH.
Photo courtesy of CBH.
Wilson comes to CBH with extensive experience in complex supply chain management in the resources sector, most recently heading BHP’s Iron Ore division, managing one of the largest and most integrated resource assets in the world, comprising mines, rail and ports.
CBH Group Chairman Wally Newman said Wilson’s experience was what the board was looking for in a new chief executive for the co-operative, a leader with core strengths in developing, operating and innovating international supply chains.
“The board was seeking a candidate that would drive and shape the next phase of development for our growers’ supply chain, ensuring the organization is fit to match the fiercely competitive environment of international grain trading and foster the culture required to support this,” he said. “With the co-operative’s current major focus on delivering our $750 million Network Strategy, Jimmy’s proven strengths in extracting efficiencies from integrated operations, driving excellence in capital management, and using innovation and technology to escalate changes in productivity, make him a natural fit for the organization.”
Newman said the board had the opportunity to meet Wilson a number of times before making the appointment and felt his professional track record, down to earth nature and straight-forward, hands-on approach would resonate strongly with our grower members.
“Driving value for growers is at the center of everything CBH does, and over the past decade grower loyalty and satisfaction levels have reached record highs, while the business has achieved solid balance sheet and revenue growth,” he said. “It was important to the Board that the new CEO had the skills and experience to build on these achievements and also had a strong desire to work with the members in achieving what they need from their grain supply chain.”
Wilson said the opportunity with CBH presented an exciting challenge for him.
“I have worked across many different countries, commodities and markets over my career and the shift into grain, while outside the traditional mining and resources sector, has many operational and trading synergies with the industries I have enjoyed working in,” Wilson said. “Jobs of this caliber and complexity are rare, even more so in Perth, and I feel very privileged to undertake this appointment, and begin an exciting future path with CBH and the growers of Western Australia.”
Wilson will commence with CBH on Aug. 14 as CEO-elect, formally taking over the role of CEO at the start of CBH’s financial year on Oct. 1.
Over the next two weeks, Wilson will travel to grain growing regions across Western Australia to attend grower meetings where he will have the opportunity to meet and hear from CBH members.
Current CEO Crane will remain with the co-operative to provide support during the transition phase until Nov. 30.
