Export Finance Australia Board Appointments

Media release

Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment

14 December 2020

The Morrison Government has today announced a number of changes to the Export Finance Australia Board, as the organisation continues to support Australian exporters throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as our economic recovery continues.

Export Finance Australia Chair Mr James M Millar AM has been appointed for a further three-year term, whilst Chair of Carbon Revolution Ltd Mr James Douglas and CBH Group Chief Executive officer Mr Jimmy Wilson have both been appointed to the EFA Board for three-year terms.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham welcomed these appointments and said Export Finance Australia continued to play a pivotal role in assisting Australian exporters to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.
“Australian exporters continue to face significant challenges such as rising export costs, disruptions to supply-chains or loss of markets that are making it difficult for some of them to access vital commercial finance,” Minister Birmingham said.

“EFA’s suite of financial expertise and solutions, including the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility which our Government established earlier this year, will continue to help exporters to get back on their feet through helping to re-establish markets, provide working capital support or by helping exporters purchase new equipment to expand their operations.

“The reappointment of Mr Millar and the appointments of Mr Douglas and Mr Wilson reflect the Morrison Government's ambition to ensure EFA has broad perspectives on the Australian economy and expertise in debt financing.
“These appointments will help ensure strong oversight of EFA as it continues to assist Australian exporters, especially small and medium sized enterprises to boost their exporting operations and support local jobs.
“I would also like to thank outgoing Deputy Chair and Audit and Risk Committee Chair Mr Rick Sawers, Ms Denise Goldsworthy AO and Ms Laura McBain for their service to the Export Finance Australia Board.”
The new and reappointed board members join Ms Jodie Baker, Mr Rob Chapman, Ms Swati Dave, Ms Lynda Cheng and Ms Frances Adamson on the Board.
Export Finance Australia is the Morrison Government’s export credit agency, providing financial expertise and solutions to Australian exporters through loans, guarantees, bonds and insurance options.

Media Contact
Benn Ayre: +61 428 342 325 Julia Ebbs: +61 417 097 644
Authorised by Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, South Australia.

Biographies
James Douglas
Victorian based Mr Douglas is the Founder of Newmarket Capital, a late stage venture capital fund established to support Australian innovation and help create an ecosystem where Australian ideas are developed and commercialised by Australians. He is also Chair of listed Australian company Carbon Revolution and a Director of Acorn Capital. Mr Douglas has more than 20 years of senior investment banking and SME-focused venture capital experience in Australia and the United States.

James “Jimmy” Wilson
Western Australian based Mr Wilson is currently Chief Executive Officer of CBH Group, a leader in the Australian grain industry along the value chain from grain storage, handling, transport, marketing and processing. He was previously President of BHP Iron Ore. Mr Wilson has significant international infrastructure and supply chain experience in Australia, South Africa, the USA, South America and Indonesia in multiple commodities.

Benn Ayre: +61 428 342 325 Julia Ebbs: +61 417 097 644
Authorised by Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, South Australia.