Qld Sugar appoints new CEO
June 12, 2009
Queensland Sugar (QSL) has appointed Neil Taylor as its new Chief Executive and Managing Director.
Taylor is currently the CEO of the Australian Fertiliser Group, and has previously worked with the CSR ethanol business and BP.
With years of management and marketing experience under his belt, he will take up his new position on August 3.
QSL Chairman Alan Winney says the appointment is providing Taylor with an ideal opportunity to contribute within another area of Australian agribusiness.
"Neil is an experienced international businessman who also has a strong affinity with Australian agriculture.
"After having lived in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Neil will add a considerable amount of international acumen to QSL’s position as the leading raw sugar supplier to the Asia Pacific market," he says.
Winney says he is confident considering Taylor has managed major infrastructure and distribution assets throughout eastern Australia.
"A key priority for QSL going forward will be to maximise utilisation of its ports and we look forward to Neil’s strong input in this endeavour," he says.
"Neil is joining the sugar Industry during a very upbeat time, with a strong price outlook for this season and for the next two years beyond."
The world sugar market continues to have a level of demand that outstrips supply, according to Winney.
"We anticipate a very healthy return for the Australian sugar mill operators this season and that return that will flow on to well above average returns for the wider sugar community," he says.
Taylor is replacing Ian White who was CEO of QSL until his appointment as Chief Executive of the Canadian Wheat Board in 2008.
Located in Brisbane, QSL is responsible for the marketing of the majority of bulk raw sugar produced in the state.