Grower Marketing Team

Our professional Grower Marketing team connects growers with the world. With a strong knowledge of agribusiness, cane farming and the global sugar industry, our relationship managers help growers make informed choices, tailored to their individual circumstances.

The team supports growers with their pricing, pooling and payment options. They also provide general sugar market information and intel from our global trading desk.

Whether on farm, on the phone or at one of our mills, the team is on hand year-round to help growers achieve the best pricing outcomes for their business.

Simon Hood

Manager Grower Marketing
0458 021 228

Simon joined the Grower Marketing Team in June 2022, relocating from Sydney to Townsville. He has a deep understanding of agricultural commodity risk management, having worked in similar roles with Fonterra Australia, Namoi Cotton, Elders, Rabobank and Michell Wool. Simon grew up on a diversified farming operation in southern NSW, so understands the challenges farmers face over and above managing commodity price risk. This practical experience is complemented by a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from Sydney University and a Masters of Commerce from University of NSW.

Email Simon

Franco Zaini

Herbert
Grower Marketing Relationship Manager
0419 476 770

Franco has been supporting the Herbert region since May 2018. He’s no stranger to the sugar industry, coming from a cane farming and harvesting family in the wet tropics. He joined Wilmar in 2002 as a Grower Relations Officer in the Herbert. Franco has a bachelor's degree in Tropical Plant Sciences and worked in a number of roles with Wilmar including grower relations, cane transport and logistics. These roles have seen him foster strong grower relationships across all Wilmar regions.

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Fiona Villis

Burdekin
Grower Marketing Relationship Manager
0437 297 978

Fiona is a cane grower with an extensive background in farming and agribusiness. She joined the Grower Marketing team in September 2023. Fiona grew up on a sheep and grain property on the western Darling Downs and holds dual Bachelor of Business degrees (Agribusiness and Travel Management) from the University of Queensland Gatton Campus. She worked within the horticulture industry in the Lockyer Valley and Bowen before moving to the Burdekin in 2005, where she operates two cane farms with husband Paul.

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Owen Richards

Grower Marketing Business Development Manager
0497 113 454

Owen joined the team in April 2024 to support Burdekin growers and spearhead efforts to explore new products and services that enhance grower profitability. Owen is a proud North Queenslander, being born and bred in Townsville, but his career has taken him around the world, accumulating valuable experience in various sales and service roles. In May 2025, he graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of International Business. Owen splits his time between the Burdekin and our Townsville office.

Email Owen

Misty Bland

Proserpine
Grower Marketing Relationship Manager
0437 803 019

Misty joined the team in August 2025. She brings more than a decade of experience in communications, marketing and stakeholder engagement, combined with a deep knowledge of agriculture. A canegrower herself, Misty understands the realities of farming life and is passionate about supporting growers with their pooling and pricing decisions. She's also well known for her volunteer work and community involvement.

Email Misty

Jonathan Reichard

Plane Creek
Grower Marketing Relationship Manager
0419 238 536

Jonathan joined the Grower Marketing Team in April 2025, supporting Wilmar’s Plane Creek milling region. He was born and raised in Mackay in a family closely associated with the engineering side of sugar milling. Jonathan has worked extensively in the communications and media field in Australia and the UK, in both the agricultural and financial sectors. He has most recently worked at Canegrowers Mackay, contributing to grower services and writing for the Billet magazine.

Email Jonathan

Megan Hawke

Townsville
Grower Marketing Consultant - Admin
(07) 4722 1924

Megan joined the Grower Marketing team in April 2024 to look after administration, marketing and communications. Megan has a wealth of experience from previous roles, where she has managed administration, marketing, and stakeholder relationships in the tourism and small business sectors. She has a strong customer focus and is passionate about providing an exceptional marketing experience for growers.

Email Megan

Bevan Patterson

Brisbane
Risk Manager

Bevan joined Wilmar Sugar and Renewables in 2022 as Commodity Price Risk Manager for the Australian business. He has more than 20 years' experience in Australia and abroad within institutional banking, energy markets and sugar markets. In his current role with Wilmar, he manages Commodity and FX Risk Pools on behalf of the miller and growers. He is based in Brisbane.

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Meet the team