Grain handler hunts for new leader

Andy Crane has resigned from his post as chief executive offer of CBH Group, saying now is the “right time to move on to his next career”.

The grower co-operative will start its search for a new leader this month and Mr Crane will remain in his role until a successor is appointed.

Mr Crane has served more than eight years as chief executive and 17 years across various roles with CBH.

CBH chairman Wally Newman said the co-operative would embark on a “detailed internal and external, global search” to find a new leader.

“The board is keen to run an open and thorough process to find the next leader of CBH and take the time needed to make the right choice,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Crane joined the Grain Pool of WA in 2001 and became well-known to WA grain growers and their customers across Asia and the Middle East, first marketing the barley crop and then all grains following the deregulation of single desk marketing.

“While I have been fortunate to do many roles across the CBH Group and represent the business in forums across the world, there is nothing I like more than talking with our growers at regular meetings in the Wheatbelt and working with their customers so they truly value the unique connection the co-operative can bring between the producer and the customer,” Mr Crane said.

Mr Newman said the board wished to acknowledge Mr Crane’s work to strengthen the co-operative.

“Andy leaves a legacy that he and growers can be proud of,” Mr Newman said.

“Key successes include working through the deregulation of the grain export industry, investment in rail and downstream processing, the introduction of quality optimisation, harvest mass management, grain express, the introduction of rebates, the launch of a transformational network strategy and the very confident reconfirmation of the co-operative business model as an efficient and effective custodian of growers’ export infrastructure.”

Mr Crane said the board would continue to have his “full commitment” in the coming year to deliver a smooth transition to a new chief executive.

CBH and ensure the ongoing focus of creating and returning value to both current and future generations of WA grain growers.