E-Malt.com News article: 4595

United Kingdom, London: Frontier, Britain's new arable business, a venture of Cargill U.K., began operations on April 4, following approval last week from the U.K. Office of Fair Trading and completion of the deal, World-Grain communicated on April 5.

Frontier represents the combined arable operations of Allied Grain, Associated British Nutrition and Agriproducts's arable division, and Banks Cargill Agriculture. The two companies announced their intention to form Frontier as an industry-leading arable business in December 2004. The new business is owned 50/50 by the two parent companies, ABF Holdings Ltd. and Cargill PLC. ABNA is the agriculture division of Associated British Foods, and Allied Grain is the arable division of ABNA.

"We are delighted to have received this full clearance from the competition authorities," said David Yiend, chairman of Frontier. "We can now get down to the task of developing Frontier into a business fully focused on the success of U.K. arable agriculture. "We believe that this is a sensible and rational development that will help take cost out of the arable food chain, offer progressive and relevant service to our customers and help in the drive to improve connections between farmer and consumer.

Mark Aitchison, managing director of Frontier, said announcements regarding business structures would be made "in due course." He did confirm the appointment of Frontier's senior management team, as follows:

• Mark Aitchison, managing director — Responsible to the shareholders for the overall Frontier business, executive director of Frontier main board;
• John Thompson, finance director — Responsible for finance, business systems and controls, executive director of Frontier main board
• Jon Duffy, grain trading director — Responsible for the overall grain business and grain trading strategy;
• Charlie Whitmarsh, arable inputs director — Responsible for seed, fertilizer and crop protection businesses and strategy;
• Kevin Mills, northern divisional director — Responsible for the development and implementation of business strategy and overall profitability in the Northern Region; and
• Alistair Knott, southern divisional director — Responsible for the development and implementation of business strategy and overall profitability in the Southern Region.


06 April, 2005