Mr Chandler has returned to Australia - after a three-year posting in Rabobank's London office establishing and heading the bank's global Agri Commodity Markets Research team - to take on the new appointment.

Mr Chandler will also retain his international role as global head of Agri Commodity Markets Research, responsible for managing the bank's analysis and outlook for the world's major agri commodities markets.

Announcing the appointment, Rabobank Group Executive Wholesale Banking Paul Beiboer said Mr Chandler's hybrid local/international role was "a reflection of how highly Luke's expertise in food and agricultural commodities markets is valued by Rabobank throughout the world".

"We are fortunate to have someone of Luke's experience in, and knowledge of, global soft commodities markets to run our local Australian and New Zealand food and agri markets research and advisory team," he said.

"Luke's continuing central involvement in international agri commodities markets, combined with his strong local knowledge, adds even further to the strength of expertise in food and agriculture that Rabobank is able to provide to our clients in Australia and New Zealand."

The world's leading food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest rural banks and a major provider of corporate financial services to the region's food and agribusiness sector.

The Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) team is a dedicated unit within the bank which undertakes research into the food and agribusiness sectors for the benefit of Rabobank's clients, including comprehensive world-class reports on sector and commodity outlooks, latest market trends and future industry developments.

The local FAR team - of eight specialist agricultural commodities research analysts in Australia and New Zealand - is part of a global network of approximately 80 research analysts across the bank.

As general manager of FAR Australia and New Zealand, Mr Chandler replaces Justin Sherrard, who has moved to Rabobank's global head office in the Netherlands to take on the role of global strategist for Renewable Resources.

Prior to moving to London, Mr Chandler worked as a senior analyst in rural economics and commodities for Rabobank Australia and New Zealand, based in Sydney.

His previous roles include manager of Analysis at AWB (Australian Wheat Board).

Mr Chandler - who hails from rural northern NSW - holds a Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Master of Economics from the University of New England.

www.rabobank.com.au and www.rabobank.co.nz