WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Less than two months after Pedro Parente, president and chief executive officer of Bunge Brazil, announced his retirement, effective June 30, parent company Bunge Ltd. has found a new leader for Brazil: Raul Padilla. Mr. Padilla, currently managing director of Bunge global agribusiness and c.e.o. of Bunge product lines, will become c.e.o. of Bunge Brazil on May 1.
Mr. Padilla joined Bunge in 1997 after a 20-year commercial career in Argentina and Switzerland. He was c.e.o. of Bunge Argentina from 1999 to 2010, when he assumed his current position.
“As head of global agribusiness and, previously, our Argentine operations, Raul has led critical parts of Bunge’s business to record results,” said Soren Schroder, c.e.o. of Bunge Ltd. “I am pleased that he will apply his unparalleled operational and commercial expertise in Brazil, which is Bunge’s largest country of operation and a vital part of our global value chains.”
Brian Thomsen, currently managing director of grains and oilseeds product lines, will succeed Mr. Padilla as managing director of Bunge global agribusiness and c.e.o. of Bunge product lines. He will be based in Geneva.
Mr. Thomsen joined Bunge in 2004 as marketing director for international grains. He also has been product line director for grains. Prior to Bunge, he worked in a variety of commercial and management roles at Cargill and Nidera.
“Brian has been an outstanding head of our grain and oilseed product lines, and brings to his new position a 26-year track record of commercial success in the agribusiness industry,” Mr. Schroder said. “I am confident that his strategic thinking and deep understanding of trade flows and customers will enable him to lead our global agribusiness operations to new heights.”
