Meet the Team

Global connections & local solutions for the food & feed industry

Key Executives

Chris Whitwell

Managing Director

Passionate & Resourceful with over 27 years’ experience in developing and managing teams for a number of major commodity companies including GrainCorp, AWB & Sucden across Asia / Oceania, the Middle East, Europe & Africa. Chris founded Basis Commodities in 2014.

Elias Azar

General Manager - Dubai

Elias is based in Dubai and brings over 25 years’ experience working in various family businesses across agricultural project management, trading and real estate. Elias joined Basis in 2017 and is responsible for our trade executions and Dubai Office operations.

Dean Nelson

Associate

Dean has over 25 years’ experience spanning the global soft commodity sectors in senior executive roles in Asia and Africa, managing businesses involved in the sugar, cocoa, coffee, molasses, animal feed and ethanol industries. As Managing Director for Asia/Pacific with the London based ED & F Man Group, Dean established a comprehensive track record for growing profitable businesses, encompassing trading, production, marketing, merchanting and distribution activities across global, regional and domestic markets.

Steven Foote

Finance Manager

Steven’s previous roles encompass commodity trading, foreign exchange, banking, shipping, logistics, contract, documentation and operations. Prior to joining Basis in February 2019, Steven held General Manager and Leadership roles with Agricultural businesses as well and managed the Container program at GrainCorp. Steven is also a Director of Two Rivers Agri Group.

Rowan Fessey

Trading & Operations Manager

Rowan was formerly the freight manager at Agfarm before joining Basis Commodities in the Trading and Operations Manager Role. Rowan has a strong operations background as well as experience in trade execution, financial modelling, commodity analysis and an appreciation of the Australian grain markets and how they trade.