CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Longtime grains supply chain expert Nigel Hart has been named managing director of Australia’s Grains Research and Development Corp. (GRDC), effective April 4. He will succeed Cathie Warburton, who had been serving as interim managing director and will now return to her role as general manager of people, communications and governance.

Hart is currently managing director of Hart Supply Chain Services Pty Ltd., a corporate adviser to mid-to-large cap logistics, warehouse storage and port companies. Prior to Hart Supply he was a senior executive at Long Term Asset Partners. Earlier, he spent more than two years at ADM as global director of ports and director of ports and storage development for the Asia Pacific region. He also worked for more than 12 years at GrainCorp in a variety of roles, including group general manager of storage and logistics, general manager of ports, and group executive for corporate services. Other companies he has worked for include Allied Mills Ltd., SunPrime Seeds Pty Ltd., Grain Growers Ltd., NSW Farmers and Hart Bros Seeds.

“We are pleased to have Nigel joining GRDC as a high caliber leader with more than 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles with organizations such as global agribusiness corporation Archer Daniels Midland and GrainCorp,” said John Woods, chairman of GRDC and Goondiwindi grain grower. “Strategically GRDC is well positioned to continue to deliver effective and efficient research, development and extension (RD&E) and Nigel’s experience and understanding of the grains sector both within Australia and internationally will add significant value. At GRDC, our people are our most important asset and Nigel has a successful record of building and managing highly engaged, cross-functional teams, so we look forward to his leadership skills further enhancing and developing our GRDC team.

“The GRDC board is confident that Nigel’s management and strategic business skills and extensive agricultural sector networks will ensure a smooth leadership transition that supports the ongoing delivery of impactful RD&E outcomes for Australian grain growers.”

Woods said Hart is expected to play a vital role in the development of the next five-year RD&E Plan 2023-28.

“We are firmly focused on executing our ambitious RD&E agenda and we are also working on finding new ways to be more responsive to local issues and strengthen our direct connection with growers, particularly utilizing our valuable regional network,” Woods said. “Nigel will add to the existing strong and experienced executive team, supported by highly respected regional panels. The organization is now extremely well-placed to continue to drive a bold innovation agenda which has never been more important for our grain growers.”