CBH’s Esperance Port Zone manager Mick Daw promoted to chief operations officer after acting in the role

Former CBH Esperance Port Zone manager Mick Daw has been promoted to chief operations officer after seven months serving in an acting capacity and facing off against an “impressive field” of internal and external candidates vying for the role. The long-term CBH staffer will be responsible for leading CBH’s Operations division, which posted a $43.7m surplus to the year ending September 30 driven by the bigger-than-expected harvest and strong shipping demand. CBH chief executive Ben Macnamara said Mr Daw — who has worked for CBH for more than 30 years — was appointed after an “extensive recruitment process” which included an impressive field of internal and external candidates. “In selecting the COO, my priority was to ensure Operations remains focused on continuing to provide an effective service for growers and ensure the supply chain is able to meet the task of increasing tonnes to port to meet market demand,” Mr Macnamara said. “Since acting in the role from July 2021, Mick has led the Operations Team in planning and receiving a 21.3 million tonne-record harvest, in what has been one of our safest harvests on record. “Mick’s deep operational knowledge... plus leadership of the Operations Team during the past six months have made him a clear choice for this role.” Mr Daw served as CBH’s Esperance Port Zone general manager for 15 years before moving to Perth to take on the acting COO role. Before that, he held the same leadership role in CBH’s Geraldton and Albany Port Zones. He was propelled into the job of acting COO in July, when the role was vacated by now-chief executive Ben Macnamara — who stepped in as CBH’s acting chief executive when CBH chief executive Jimmy Wilson retired. Mr Macnamara was announced as CEO in December but CBH had stayed mum on whether Mr Daw would be promoted to COO. Mr Daw said he was honoured to continue to lead the Operations Team and serve the grain growers of WA. “The team’s dedication and commitment to the co-operative and to growers is something I am immensely proud of, and this was clearly evident throughout the recent record harvest,” Mr Daw said. “Right now the focus is on out turning the massive crop from sites to port, with the team working on all possible avenues to achieve this task. “Longer term, we are continuing to implement projects, such as rail out-loading projects, that will help increase our tonnes to port capability. “I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with you all and to serve the grain growers of WA.” Mr Daw takes the role just one week after CBH announced it had received its biggest ever crop, at 21.3mt. CBH said he would continue to balance his time between Perth and regional WA, with an immediate focus on locking in a replacement for the Esperance Port Zone general manager position.