WEST PERTH, AUSTRALIA — Ben Macnamara has been named general manager of operations of the CBH Group effective Feb. 18. Macnamara most recently has been general manager of planning, strategy and development, leading the planning of the future of the storage and handling network.

Jimmy Wilson, chief executive officer of CBH, said Macnamara’s deep understanding of the network and its future requirements would be invaluable as CBH continues to reshape the network.

“At CBH we are solely focused on operating the lowest cost possible outbound logistical supply chain and providing the most effective service for our growers — the planning and operation of the network are central to these objectives,” Wilson said. “Ben has worked closely with the operations team, particularly as part of the Plan-Build-Operate model that oversees our network investment, and he is well placed to lead the division forward.”

Macnamara joined CBH in 2014 in the role of manager of commercial and business development, and he was appointed to his current role on the lead team in December 2017.

Prior to CBH, Macnamara worked for an investment advisory firm and an international professional services firm.

Wilson said the new appointment was the result of current David Capper, general manager of operations at CBH, giving notice and deciding to hand over the reins of one of the co-operative’s key roles after five years at the helm.

“During his tenure, among many other achievements, David improved safety performance, grew CBH’s export capacity, developed and commenced the Network Strategy to improve network efficiency and grower service, delivered CBH’s largest harvest and export programs on record, and reduced grower storage and handling and freight fees,” Wilson said. “CBH would like to recognize David, as I am sure would the growers of Western Australia, for his dedication and service.

“David’s leadership in seeing the Network Strategy commence, and now be in full scale implementation, has placed the CBH business and network in a strong position, and we look forward to this being continued and developed further under Ben’s leadership.”