Nordzucker Mackay Sugar CEO appointed as new GW3 board director

He wants to build a region that ‘can attract families due to opportunity, for all adults and kids in terms of careers, education and lifestyle’

Nordzucker Mackay Sugar’s Jannik Olejas has been appointed as a director to the Greater Whitsunday Alliance board.

Mr Olejas joins GW3 chairman Tony Caruso and six other directors on the board to guide the strategic outcomes for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday economic development organisation.

Mr Caruso said it was important the GW3 board remained fresh and dynamic and offered a broad range of experience and regional representation.

“Jannik brings diversity to the GW3 board table with his strong ties to the agriculture and manufacturing sector,” he said.

“Jannik has a wealth of experience both internationally and on a Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region level with his role with Nordzucker Mackay Sugar, which will strengthen the strategic work of GW3 into its next phase.

“Along with his commercial and analytical skill set, Jannik will be an asset to ensure the MIW region can continue to transform.”

Mr Olejas was appointed Mackay Sugar chief executive officer in April 2020, having previously held the role of general manager from September 2019, following the completion of the subscription into Mackay Sugar by Nordzucker AG.

Danisco Sugar A/S had previously employed Mr Olejas since 1992.

Following Nordzucker AG’s acquisition of Danisco Sugar in 2009, Mr Olejas has held various positions initially within sales and marketing and subsequently in agriculture for the Nordzucker Group.

Along with working internationally with clients, suppliers and stakeholders across Europe, prior to moving to Australia, Mr Olejas held a senior management position with Nordzucker as Head of Agri Sourcing.

Mr Olejas holds a degree in sales and marketing from Copenhagen Business School and has undertaken various general management training courses at International Business Schools.

“I have worked extensively in the European Sugar industry and was part of the consolidation,” he said.

“I started in sales and marketing – both internal European as well as export markets.

“Later I held responsibility for Agri Sourcing, which was the commercial and contractual relationships to the beet growers who supply to the Nordzucker Group.”

Mr Olejas said one of his visions for the economic development of the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region was to build resilience based on “core assets” being its agricultural capabilities and the skilled workforce associated with the METS sector.

“Building a region which can attract people and their families due to opportunity, for all adults and kids in terms of careers, education and lifestyle,” he said.

Mr Olejas said what he hoped to bring to the GW3 boardroom was a focus on visible progress and to make change happen.

“I want to work to add analytical and commercial skills to the table aiming at building a sustainable future,” he said.