Grain co-operative taps BHP mining executive for top job
Jimmy Wilson is the new CEO of the CBH Group, succeeding Andrew Crane who will step down in November after more than eight years in the role.
Wilson comes to grain logistics co-operative CBH with extensive experience in complex supply chain management in the resources sector.
Most recently, he headed BHP’s iron ore division, managing one of the largest and most integrated resource assets in the world, comprising mines, rail and ports.
“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,” CBH chairman Wally Newman says.
“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.”
For Wilson, the opportunity with CBH presented an exciting challenge.
“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 says.
“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.”
Wilson will start with CBH on Monday as ‘CEO-elect’, formally taking over the role at the start of CBH’s financial year on October 1.
Over the next two weeks, he 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, the firm says.
Crane will remain with the co-operative to provide support during the transition phase until November 30.