Our values

Living and working in the Northern Rivers, our growers and employees have strong links to the communities in which they live and work, with many having connections with the sugar industry that go back multiple generations. The values embedded in the Sunshine Sugar business were developed by the people, endorsed and supported by the executive team and the Board of Directors. These values form the basis for how the people of Sunshine Sugar treat customers, suppliers, partners…and each other.

Teamwork
Teamwork

Means working together as a team to achieve a common goal utilising each other’s strengths to the best of our ability.

Integrity Icon
Integrity

Means conducting ourselves in a responsible and professional manner at all times..

excellence
Excellence

Means achieving excellence through communication, teamwork and seeking to continuously improve.

Accountability
Accountability

Means that we are accountable to our values and behaviours.

safety
Safety

Means that because our people are our greatest asset, their safety comes first.

Management team

The job of getting sugar from the farm to the factory involves a lot of people with a lot of different skill sets. The Sunshine Sugar business is fortunate to have a strong management team in place that is supported by a highly capable and active Board of Directors.

Chris Connors

Chris Connors

Chief Executive Officer

Chris was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Sugar in 2008.

He has held senior positions in the sugar industry and the mining industry throughout his career including Chief Executive officer of Proserpine Sugar and North Queensland Resources.

An active industry participant, Chris has held numerous board and committee positions, including foundation Director of the Australian Sugar Alliance, Deputy Chairman of the Australian Milling Council, Director on the board of SMART Superannuation Fund, Board member of Sugar Research Institute, Board member on the Cooperative Federation of Australia and President of the Queensland Co-operative Federation.

Seth Wreyford

Corporate Finance Manager

Seth joined the Sunshine Sugar management team in September 2023, taking on the Finance Manager and Company Secretary role.

A strong operational professional and team leader with CPA and AICD qualifications, Seth brings a wealth of experience in finance and operations from across multiple industry sectors, including food, beverage and horticulture. He brings skills in systems and process improvements, strategic business change, decision support, team building and profit improvement.

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Ian McBean

Ian McBean

Corporate Services Manager and Broadwater Operations Manager

Ian returned to Sunshine Sugar and has taken on the dual positions of Operations Manager of the Broadwater Sugar Mill and Corporate Services Manager. Ian’s role is to develop alternative investment projects, the continuous improvement program and cane supply initiatives.

Ian previously held the position of Sunshine Sugar’s Corporate Services Manager, before taking on a two-year leadership role with Sugar Research Australia. Prior to joining Sunshine Sugar, Ian was acting CEO and Company Secretary of Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Milling Association and has over 20 years’ experience in the agriculture and sugar cane sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Crop Production) Social Science and Grassland Science.

Scott Thompson

Operations Manager, Harwood Sugar Mill & Refinery

Scott started with Sunshine Sugar in September 2023, taking on management responsibility for the Harwood mill and refinery site.

Scott brings multi-site and international experience in general management, operations, sales, supply chain, project and people management across various manufacturing industries. He has worked extensively in the food, packaging and print sectors in multiple countries for public, private family owned and private equity businesses building and executing business plans, delivering solutions to improve the customer experience and overall business results. Scott has an Electrical Trades and Engineering background, Master of Business majoring in Strategy and Operations as well as a Diploma in Coaching and Psychology.

Phil Scroop

Phil Scroope

Condong Operations Manager

Phil was appointed to the position of Operations Manager at Condong Sugar Mill in 2019 and is tasked with ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all activities on site and leading staff to meet production requirements and objectives.

Phil has a long association with Sunshine Sugar, having started with the business in 1990 as a Shift Supervisor at the Condong Mill. He worked in both the Mill and Refinery at Harwood for almost a decade before returning to Condong as the Production Manager. Prior to joining Sunshine Sugar, phil worked as a QA Chemist and Factory Supervisor for Taubmans Paint. Phil holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and a Diploma in Management.

Vivien

Vivien Miller

Communications Manager

Vivien has held the position of Communications Manager at Sunshine Sugar since 2016, having previously worked in corporate marketing and communications roles in the IT&T, Mining & Metals, Entertainment and Tourism industries. Vivien is responsible for managing Sunshine Sugar’s brand and reputation through internal and external company communication. She has over 15 years’ experience in her field.

Vivien holds a number of tertiary qualifications including a Masters Degree in Business and Marketing; a Graduate Diploma in Tourism Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in English.

Todd Nicholls

Todd Nicholls

Health, Safety and Environment Manager

Todd joined Sunshine Sugar as Environmental Manager in 2010 having worked in similar roles prior at Mackay Sugar and the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency. He took up the position of HSE Manager in 2016 and is responsible for fostering people, programs and systems to deliver improvements in health, safety and environmental performance and efficiency

Todd has tertiary qualifications in occupational health, hygiene, safety and the environment including a Bachelor of Environmental Science.

Board of Directors

The NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative Board of Directors is made up of a very experienced group of cane farming business people. Each growing and milling area is represented by three Directors and supported by Directors from the Manildra Group.

Mr John Honan, Manildra Group

Mr Peter Simpson, Manildra Group

Mr Ian Hanrahan, Manildaara Group


Mr Stephen Wagner, Chairman and Richmond cane grower

Mr Kevin Twohill, Deputy Chairman and Tweed cane grower

Mr Nathan Ensbey, Deputy Chairman and Clarence cane grower


Mr David Bartlett, Director and Tweed cane grower

Mr Malcolm Brown, Director and Tweed cane grower

Mr Duncan Reid, Director and Clarence cane grower

Mr Evan Lewis, Director and Clarence cane grower

Mr Marty Walsh Director and Richmond River cane grower

Mr Regan Sawatzki, Director and Richmond River cane grower

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