Alan Winney - Chairman

MBA, AMP (Wharton), MAICD

Alan has been the Chairman of Emerald since the foundation of the business in 2004. Alan has over 35 years experience in the agribusiness sector, including 20 years in chief executive officer, senior management and trading roles with companies including Elders IXL, Louis Dreyfus, Al Ghurair Group and the Australian Wheat Board.

In addition to his role at Emerald, he is also Chairman and owner of Seashift Properties and the PIA Group. He is a Director of the Australian Sugar Alliance and the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union Club. In 2010 he was named as Australian Agribusiness Leader of the Year.

Mike Chaseling - Deputy Chairman

B.App Sci (Systems Agriculture), AMP (Wharton), MAICD

Mike was appointed Deputy Chairman of Emerald in 2007, following a period from 2004 as a founding Executive Director.  Prior to joining Emerald, Mike had almost 20 years experience in the Australian grains industry.  He has held previous management and trading roles at a number of national and international corporations, including the Australian Wheat Board, ConAgra Trade Group and NETCO Ltd.

Mike is also a Director of the Australian grains industry’s representative body, Grain Trade Australia (formerly NACMA) where he was previously the Chairman of the industry’s Corporate Governance Committee.  Mike continues to serve as a registered trade arbitrator.

Mick Cattanach - Managing Director

B.Bus (Ag Commerce), MAICD

Mick is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emerald.  He was a founding Executive Director and continues to hold significant ownership interest in the company.  Mick has over 18 years experience in corporate agribusiness and primary production and has overseen grain marketing and wool production activities for several businesses.  He has also held senior trading positions with DR Johnston and US food group ConAgra Inc during the 1990s.

Hideki Hijiya - Executive Director

BA Agri. Economics (Kyoto)

Hideki joined Emerald as an Executive Director during 2010. He has a wide range of experience in international grain marketing and has been involved in the grain marketing team at the Sumitomo Corporation for 25 years.

In recent years, Hideki was Project Manager of various international M&As in agribusiness across Vietnam, China and Australia.  Hideki set up the first foreign invested wheat flour premix company in Vietnam.

Nobuo Takesue – Non Executive Director

Bch. Economics

Nobuo has worked for Sumitomo for over 20 years having started in the Logistics Department in the Tokyo office.  During this time Nobuo has spent time working for Sumitomo based in America.  Currently Nobuo is the Assistant to General Manager of Grain and Oilseeds and is responsible for marketing grains to offshore markets .  In additional to his role on the Emerald Board, Nobuo is Chairman of the Australian Bulk Alliance.

Hiroyasu Kurosaki - Non-Executive Director

Bch. Commerce

Hiro joined Sumitomo in 1977 and started his business career in the grain department, mainly handling wheat and wheat flours.  He has spent time working overseas in America at the Portland Sumitomo office. 

Hiro is a Non-Executive Director for the Summit Oil Mill Co., Chiba Flour Milling Company and Kashima Silo Company.  Hiro is currently the Sumitomo Corporation General Manager for Grain & Sweeteners based in Tokyo.

Peter Flanagan - Board Advisor

MBA, B.Sc Ed., GAICD

Peter was appointed as a Board Advisor in early 2010 after serving as a Non-Executive Director for Emerald since March 2008.  Peter is the Managing Director and owner of Cameron Media Sales, as well as Executive Director and part-owner of Moama Grain Services.

Peter has held national and international roles in a diverse range of industries including agriculture, media, chemical trading, manufacturing, logistics and banking. 

Mark Sage - Board Advisor

B.Com (Hons), GAICD

Mark has over 25 years’ management experience in a public company environment.  Mark has particular expertise in international business development, with extensive experience in retail and commodity markets across the Asian, Middle East and Pacific regions.  He brings to the Emerald Board broad expertise in export marketing, logistics and commodity markets trading.

Mark is also a Non-Executive Director of Queensland Sugar Limited; he is a Non-Executive Director for Paradise Foods Limited in PNG and is an advisory Board member for Australian Drilling Associates Pty Ltd.