The search for a new Chief Executive Officer to run the nations’ only 100% Australian owned raw and refined sugar manufacturer is underway.

The current leader, Mr Chris Connors is stepping back after 17 years at the helm of Sunshine Sugar and a career spanning over 50 years in the Australian sugar and mining industries.

On reflection, Mr Connors says: “There are a lot of programs we have introduced to deliver longer term sustainability.  We have had some outstanding results from our hedge programs and the restructure of our refinery sales programs. However, it is the base programs and policies that deliver the results. Continuous improvement, safety and cultural change programs detailed in our Strategic Business Plan, are underpinned by the values developed by our people – Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, Accountability and Safety.

Since 2008, Mr Connors has led the organisation through many milestone events. Just a few include;

2012 – Sunshine Sugar awarded international Bonsucro certification across farming, milling and refining operations

2013 – Negotiated the sale of the Broadwater and Condong biomass power stations to current owner/operators Cape Byron Power

2015 – NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative Ltd and Manildra Group merged on a 50/50 ownership basis

2017 – Launch of new Sunshine Sugar retail product brand

2018 – Secured the patent for Australian nucane technology to produce Low GI sugar

2019 – Purchase of a fleet of new Mercedes trucks with state-of-the-art safety features for cane hauling

2020 – State-of-the-art storage and distribution warehouse officially opened with assistance from the Federal Government’s Regional Funds Program

2021 – Developed the Business Continuity Plan to ensure continued operations through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

2022 – Led the business recovery following catastrophic flooding across all three cane growing regions of NSW and unprecedented damage at the Broadwater and Condong sugar mills. This included successful application for a $12.6 million grant under the Anchor Grant scheme.

When asked for comment on some words of advice to his successor, Mr Connors quoted; “This is not a simple business. You need to ensure you have plans in place across the business and have your teams take responsibility for the outcome. Relationships with growers and the board are incredibly important. You need to listen but also be prepared to make your own decisions that deliver the right outcomes.”

Executive search firm Rimfire Resources have been tasked with finding the next Chief Executive for Sunshine Sugar.

The successful candidate will have extensive business management experience at the Senior Executive level in a manufacturing environment, ideally with exposure to agribusiness, and have a positive and professional leadership style.

The ability to manage political sensitivities and build collaborative working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders from farmers, to process operators, customers, suppliers, industry bodies and business partners – balancing the priorities of multiple agendas – will be an essential skill.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to lead a 100% Australian sugar milling and refining company located in an unmatched business and lifestyle coastal location with an experienced, knowledgeable and engaged team.

[4 April 2025]