Live Export

New Elders live-ex chief initiates review

James Nason, 10/10/2013

Greg Dunne has been appointed acting co-general manager - Elders International Trading.The newly appointed head of Elders’ live export division says he is confident depth of senior experience will hold the company in good stead as it moves on from the loss of seven international trading staff to rival Ruralco.

Greg Dunne, Elders’ general manager for northern Australia, and a former Queensland state general manager, has been appointed to the position of acting co-general manager – Elders International Trading, effective immediately.

Mr Dunne will share the role with current general manager Hamish Browning, who was one of the seven staff to have resigned, until Mr Browning serves out his notice period.

Mr Dunne said Elders had asked each of the seven staff to serve their full notice periods, which range from one month to three months, to ensure a smooth transition for the staff that will replace them.

Mr Dunne said his immediate focus will be to conduct a review of existing contracts, systems, protocols and structures with Elders’ International Trading Division, and to appoint the ‘right people to the right roles’.

“My view in the first stages will be to look at the business around what we need to do, what contracts are in place, and what are the short term priorities for us both in the short haul space and the long haul space," Mr Dunne told Beef Central.

“We will then look at the systems and the protocols that we have in the business, and look at whether we can refine those, and look at who we need in which roles going forward.”

While acknowledging that the sudden loss of seven staff created an unsettling impact for the business, Mr Dunne said he was confident Elders would quickly move on.

“The beauty of the Elders business is the depth of our senior people that have had experience through the export industry," he said.

“I think we have the skills base inside the business, and we will certainly look when we come up with a structure also to people externally with the relevant skills set who would like an opportunity to come on board.

“My focus is on making sure that we get the right people in the right roles.”

Mr Dunne said he saw an exciting future ahead for the live export trade as demand in short and long haul markets continued to grow, but noted that the main challenge for the industry would be to find the cattle required to fill slaughter cattle orders given the seasonal conditions that have impacted northern supply areas.

Asked about the reported $18m discrepancy in livestock values, Mr Dunne said the company’s investigations were continuing.

“That is a process the company is going through at the moment, Malcolm (Jackman) has been very clear, he doesn’t believe the departing people and the anomalies in reported stock values are related, but there is a process we need to go through to ensure we get our own heads around it before any further comment is made.”
 

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