Richard Phillips, Ottawa-based executive director of Grain Growers of Canada with broad agriculture industry and government experience, has been appointed president of the Winnipeg-based Canada Grains Council.
He assumes the position in the autumn.
CGC chair Chantelle Donahue said in an April 15 announcement that Phillips will lead the council as it represents the industry’s policy, regulatory and trade initiatives.
“Richard is ideally suited with his wealth of experience and natural tendency to build consensus,” she said.
His experience ranges from having a third-generation stake in a grain and seed operation in Tisdale, Sask., to working for United Grain Growers, the Canola Council of Canada and currently as a director of the CGC.
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His political experience includes working for the Saskatchewan Liberal party in the 1990s and then-Liberal cabinet minister Reg Alcock, responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, during the 2003-06 Paul Martin federal government.
When he moved to Grain Growers of Canada, Phillips moved to the other side of the CWB monopoly debate.
Phillips said today that after more than six years at Grain Growers, he decided it was time for a new challenge.
“Financially they are solid and they have become the go-to group in Ottawa on grain policy, so I think they are in good shape,” he said.
At the CGC, he said the focus will be on a broader value-chain and international trade perspective.
Although the grains council is centred in Winnipeg, Phillips said he hopes to do much of the job from Ottawa.
