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Director elections

2024 Member Director Elections 

Nominations for Member Director positions in Districts 1, 3 and 5 for candidates seeking to nominate outside of the Candidate Assessment Panel (CAP) process closed 3 January 2024. The Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) has advised CBH Group that no additional candidates have nominated.


The current Directors whose three-year terms expire at the CBH Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 February 2024 are Gareth Rowe (District 1), Natalie Browning (District 3) and Simon Stead (District 5). Directors Gareth Rowe, Natalie Browning and Simon Stead sought re-election through the Candidate Assessment Panel (CAP) process.

As there were no further nominations outside the CAP process, incumbent directors Gareth Rowe, Natalie Browning and Simon Stead have been re-elected unopposed, with their formal re-appointment confirmed at the CBH Group Annual General Meeting in Perth on Friday 23 February 2024 in Crown Perth.

Board structure

  • The CBH Board is comprised of nine Member Directors and up to three Independent Directors.
  • The nine Member Directors are elected from five districts.
  • Two Directors are elected by members from each of Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 and one Director is elected by members from District 5.
  • A member’s allocated Director district is based on the nearest receival point to their property, as contained in CBH’s property records. Where a member holds more than one property number, the nearest receival point for the property with the largest holding is used.
  • Member Directors can have their main grain growing interests in any district. Member Director election districts relate solely to the election of Directors and do not affect the way a member moves or delivers grain.
  • Generally, the term of office for a Member Director expires at the third Annual General Meeting after election.

Download Director Elections Map

Candidate Assessment Panel

The implementation of a Candidate Assessment Panel (CAP) is a key initiative arising out of the 2020 governance review.  The CAP will assess candidates in every CBH Member Director election. Participation in the CAP process is mandatory for incumbent Directors and strongly encouraged for other candidates. 

The panel will assess each candidate who participates in the CAP process against the skills and attributes sought by the CBH Board in its Directors.  The process requires candidates to complete a self-assessment, submit a resume and attend an interview with the CAP. 

The CAP is a three-person, majority independent panel, comprising the CBH Board Chair and two panel members external to CBH. The external members are respected in the field of governance, have an understanding of CBH and the agricultural industry and are appropriately qualified to assess prospective candidates for the CBH Board.

The panel members are:

The CAP will prepare a report which will include a rating and commentary for each CAP candidate, however, it is important to note that the CAP will not recommend a preferred candidate or candidates. The CAP report will be included in the voting materials provided by the Western Australian Electoral Commission for the upcoming election for member consideration when deciding which candidate to vote for. 
The CAP will prepare a report which will include a rating and commentary for each CAP candidate, however, it is important to note that the CAP will not recommend a preferred candidate or candidates. The CAP report will be included in the voting materials provided by the Western Australian Electoral Commission for the upcoming election for member consideration when deciding which candidate to vote for. 

Download the CBH Candidate Assessment Panel Booklet

Candidate Code of Conduct

Candidates standing for election as CBH Member Directors are expected to follow the standards outlined in the CBH Code of Conduct for Candidates.

Download the CBH Code of Conduct for Candidates

Skills and Attributes of Board Members

The Board encourages CBH Members with the following skills and attributes to stand for election as Member Directors.

The Board encourages CBH Members with the following skills to stand for election as Member Directors.

  • In depth grain farming experience– Has deep on farm grain experience, having owned and run grain farming operations as a member of our co-operative, with an understanding of, and empathy with, WA grain growers and grain growing communities. 
  • Financial literacy and commercial acumen – Has strong financial skills and knowledge to be able to understand and analyse CBH’s financial position and critical financial issues, together with sound business experience and acumen.
  • Strategic thinking – Has the ability to make a positive contribution to the development of Board-level strategic thinking and strategy formulation, having regard to changes in the grain industry and in the external environment, and to remain focused at a strategic level during Board dialogue.
  • Strong commitment to co-operative values and principles – Has a sound understanding of co-operative principles and CBH’s co-operative values, and of the benefits CBH provides to WA grain growers as Australia’s largest co-operative.
  • Governance – Has broad governance experience and a commitment to the highest standards of governance, with a sound understanding of the role and duties of a director and the difference between the role of a director and management’s role.
  • Risk Management – Has a sound understanding and appreciation of risk and risk management frameworks, including grain marketing and trading, health and safety and reputational risk management.
  • Community and stakeholder relations and engagement – Has experience in building stakeholder relationships and partnerships, including with growers and with government and industry bodies.
  • Technology strategy and governance  Has knowledge and experience in the governance, strategic use and risk management of technology including information systems.
  • Corporate sustainability and responsibility – Has knowledge and a sound understanding of corporate sustainability including the management of environmental, social and governance factors and their contribution to long term value creation.
  • Innovation and research and development– Has experience in or a sound understanding of the management or governance of research and development and applied innovation

The Board encourages CBH Members with the following attributes to stand for election as Member Directors.

  • Honesty/Integrity – in all dealings whilst representing CBH.
  • Teamwork – ability to respect alternative viewpoints, to work cohesively with fellow Directors and make a positive contribution to boardroom deliberations.
  • Respect/Fairness – towards CBH, its employees and other Directors.
  • Emotional Intelligence – ability to interact constructively and positively with fellow Directors, management and other stakeholders.
  • Critical Thinking/Decision Making – ability to comprehend and analyse significant amounts of information provided in Board papers and then form a considered view on an issue, make commercially astute judgements and show clear and decisive leadership on behalf of growers.
  • Capability – strong intellect/intellectual capacity with the capability and breadth of experience to contribute to Board discussions on a wide variety of topics.
  • Inquisitive nature – ability to ask insightful and probing questions in a constructive manner to assist the Board to explore and assess ideas and, where appropriate, to offer alternative viewpoints.
  • Continuous improvement –  demonstrates self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses and a willingness to undertake education, training and self-improvement in relevant areas, including an expectation to graduate from the Company Directors Course run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors in the first term as a Director.
  • Communication – ability to communicate views and concepts in a clear and succinct manner.
  • Dedication – is always well prepared for meetings and willing and able to dedicate appropriate time and energy to fulfil director responsibilities and expectations.