Wilson resigns from CBH

Jimmy Wilson has stepped down as chief executive of CBH Group after leading the grain co-operative for the past four years.

Mr Wilson joined CBH in 2017 and had his contract renewed in June 2020 with no fixed term.

CBH Group chair Simon Stead said Mr Wilson decided it was the right time for him to move on to the next stage of his career, with much of the change he was mandated to implement now completed.

“Jimmy has overseen a relentless pursuit of better safety outcomes and substantial simplification of our systems and processes to drive clarity and accountability through the whole organisation,” Mr Stead said.

“There has been an emphatic focus on the core of the business, with CBH adding 2.5 million tonnes of additional storage to the network, completing 80 throughput enhancement projects and over 200 sustaining capital projects over the past three years.

“Jimmy has provided clear guidance to the CBH team through the introduction of a focused strategy and tactical plan, and safely guided the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the ongoing operations of the supply chain.”

Mr Wilson thanked the CBH board, growers, employees and community partners and said his time at CBH had highlighted the importance of the co-operative model to the grain industry.

He will leave the co-operative on June 30, 2021. 

Prior to joining CBH, Mr Wilson was the president of BHP's iron ore business but left in 2016 after an organisational restructure. 

Mr Stead said CBH would embark on an extensive search for a new chief executive, looking for talent internally and around the world.

CBH recorded a net profit after tax of $11 million in the year to September 2020, although its revenue fell by 23 per cent to $3.2 billion due to trade tensions and a below-average harvest.