AUSTRALIA – Australia’s leading grain handler, CBH Group has appointed member director Simon Stead as deputy chairman of the board, effective immediately.
Mr Stead has been a Member Director of the CBH Board since 2015 and is the CBH appointed representative on the Co-operatives WA Council.
He is also a member of the Industry Advisory Board of the UWA Institute of Agriculture and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He runs a mixed cropping, sheep and cattle operation in Cascade and Dalyup in the Esperance port zone.
“Vern is a very passionate supporter of our industry, and in particular, he has been a long-time champion of the co-operative business model that puts the grower at the centre of everything we do,” said Chairman Wally Newman.
“On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Simon on his appointment, and I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of the Board as we continue to execute our strategy to ensure our growers remain internationally competitive.”
In his professional career, Stead has worked for Wesfarmers and has a long involvement with the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA).
He is a Founding Member of the Association for Sheep Husbandry, Excellence, Evaluation and Production (ASHEEP) and its immediate past Chairman.
Mr. Stead holds an Executive Certificate in Agribusiness Marketing from Monash University and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He succeeds Vern Dempster who has made a decision not to stand for re-nomination after serving in the position for the period from April 2013.
Dempster will however remain on the board as one of two member-elected Directors, helping in business matters involving handling, marketing and processing in District 2.
The company in February elected Natalie Browning, first female to its board to represent District 3.
It recently expanded its Chadwick grain receival site near Esperance after completing the US$11.4 million investment across its network.
In the year ended 30 September 2018, CBH reported 9% increase in revenue after receiving 13.3 million tonnes of grain during the period.
