13 February 2007
Rabobank Australia and New Zealand has expanded its Food and Agribusiness Research (FAR) unit, announcing the appointment of a rural economics and commodities analyst.
Luke Chandler has taken up the position of senior analyst at the world's leading food and agribusiness bank, with responsibility for analysis of the cotton, wool, and sugar sectors as well as the broader trends impacting the rural economy.
Rabobank's respected Food & Agribusiness Research (FAR) division - a team of specialist analysts based locally and around the globe - is focused on producing comprehensive, world-class research and analysis for the bank and its clients. FAR is also responsible for the delivery of Rabobank's highly-respected Business Management Programs, comprising the Executive Development Program, for primary producers, and the new Farm Managers Program, launched last year to help develop the skills of Australasia's emerging farmers.
Mr Chandler joins a team of six other specialist analysts based in Australia and New Zealand and approximately 80 specialist FAR staff throughout the global Rabobank network.
Head of FAR for Australia and New Zealand, Bill Cordingley says that Mr Chandler brings extensive experience to his new role with Rabobank, and in particular is very well placed to deliver high quality research and analysis on both the agricultural economy globally and his designated sectors.
Mr Chandler has held a number of senior roles, including his most recent at the Australian Wheat Board (AWB), as manager of market intelligence for the AWB's international trading and risk management group on the Single Desk.
Mr Cordingley says that Mr Chandler's depth of experience will be a great asset to the bank and its clients.
"Luke's appointment to the FAR team in Sydney is an exciting development for Rabobank and its clients. Luke brings with him extensive experience from his roles at AWB, National Australia Bank and the Woolmark Company."
"His depth of knowledge across both international and local commodity markets will be an excellent complement to the expertise of the existing FAR team," Mr Cordingley said.
In addition to his research capabilities, Mr Chandler has a strong commitment to Australian agriculture having grown up in rural Northern NSW before going on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics and a Master of Economics.
"The opportunity to work at a bank that is focused on agriculture is a great privilege. I'm excited about contributing to and learning from a specialist global network of analysts in the food and agribusiness markets," Mr Chandler said.
Rabobank New Zealand is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world's leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 100 years' experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is ranked the world's safest private bank by Global Finance magazine. Rabobank operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1500 offices and branches. Rabobank New Zealand is one of the leading rural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the New Zealand food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 29 branches throughout New Zealand.
Contact
For further information please contact Karen Kenny (Tel: +64 4 819 2700) or please email wellington.pr@rabobank.com.