CBH Group welcomes Jimmy Wilson as new CEO

By: "Farm Tender" News
Cattle News
Aug 10, 2017
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The CBH Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Jimmy Wilson as the new Chief Executive Officer of the CBH Group, succeeding Andrew Crane who will step down in late 2017 after more than eight years in the role.

Mr 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 Mr 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 organisation 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 organisation.”

Mr Newman said the Board had the opportunity to meet Jimmy 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 centre 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.”

Mr 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,” he said.

“Jobs of this calibre 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.”

Mr Wilson will commence with CBH on 14 August 2017 as Chief Executive Officer-elect, formally taking over the role of Chief Executive Officer at the start of CBH’s financial year on 1 October 2017.

Over the next two weeks, Mr 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 Dr Crane will remain with the co-operative to provide support during the transition phase until 30 November 2017.

Jimmy Wilson profile:

Jimmy Wilson has led one of the world’s most complex resource assets and has international experience in Australia, South Africa, the USA, South America and Indonesia. He has worked in multiple commodities including iron ore, coal, nickel, chrome, aluminium and gold, traded across global markets.

Jimmy was President of BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Member of the Group Management Committee at BHP Billiton from 2012 to 2016. Prior to heading BHP’s Iron Ore division, Mr Wilson led BHP’s Energy Coal, Stainless Steel and Nickel West divisions in Australia after managing BHP’s Chrome and Aluminium operations in South Africa.

Attending the University of Natal in Durban, Jimmy completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

A keen cyclist and swimmer, Jimmy is a regular in the Rottnest Channel Swim, lives in Perth and is married with two children.