Commodity Advisors


MANAGEMENT

NICK CARRACHER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

In Nick’s 20+ years in trading and sales, he has gained extensive skills around derivative markets (specialising in options and OTC products). Nicks’ familiarity with how producers, consumers and traders work give him the unique ability to forward think and mitigate risk.

Nick was raised on a mixed farm in Lucindale, in the South East of South Australia. After studying Agricultural Business and Management at the University of Sydney, he began his career as an Agricultural advisor. For 6 years, he domestically and internationally traded physical grains and oilseeds, before moving to Singapore to run ANZ’s Asian Agricultural trading desk. Nick joined Goldman Sachs in Singapore, later moving to New York and trading exposure generated by the Commodity Index and investor products. Nick relocated back to Australia to head up INTL FCStone’s advisory desk. Nick, his wife Kate and 3 children are now happy to call Australia home again.

LACHIE STEVENS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In Lachie’s 17+ years in the grain industry he has become the go to man for strategic growth and grain analysis. Using risk management and derivative strategies he can help you locate your weaknesses and grow your profitability.

Lachie grew up in a family farming enterprise in NSW. He began his studies with a bachelor of Agricultural Science from Melbourne University. Furthering his knowledge with a diploma in Risk Management from Monash University and closing it out with an advanced diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute.

Lachie spent 7 years working at commodity giant Louis Dreyfus where he was responsible for a range of roles from analysis and risk management, trading (canola, wool, sorghum), procurement and settling into the role as their Oilseeds Trading Manager.

Lachsock Consulting was founded in 2007 by Lachie and until the appointment of Nick as CEO, he also took on the role of Managing Director. Lachie is currently located in Colorado in the USA, focusing on the service and development of Lachstock internationally. Lachie is also focused on growing the strategy and management of the research platform with assistance of the executive team.

MATT MILLER
GENERAL MANAGER
SUPPLY CHAIN

Matt has 25+ years’ experience in all aspects of commodity and dry bulk freight trading, supply chain and risk management in Australia and across Asia Pacific. His experience includes 10 years trading various grain and protein meals along with 15 years trading in the dry bulk freight market. A wealth of success in all aspects of trading and risk management, accompanied by proven skills in effectively managing supply chains.

Matt is off the land and grew up on a mixed-enterprise property outside of Tamworth, NSW. He studied Rural Science at the University of Armidale and during this time he undertook a Cadetship with the Twynam Pastoral Group of Companies, working across many of their large Pastoral properties. Upon finishing University, Matt relocated to Sydney to join Twynam’s Marketing and Risk Team. In 2002, Matt moved to Melbourne to join Cargill Australia and spent 6 years trading Agricultural Commodities before relocating to Singapore to join the Cargill Ocean Transportation Dry Bulk Freight team. Over the next 11 years Matt held Asia Pacific freight desk team leader roles across the Handy, Supramax and Panamax bulk freight segments.

In 2019, Matt relocated back to Australia and headed up Swire Bulk Australia where he was responsible for managing all aspects of the bulk ocean freight business across Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Matt, his wife Raina and 3 boys have now happily settled into life in Brisbane.

Matt will help Lachstock clients identify and manage risk associated with moving and trading dry bulk products.

DAVID PIKE
MANAGER OF STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION

Davids’ experience in the listed derivatives market has given him extensive knowledge around commodity futures and Agricultural financial markets. Davids’ focus has been on growing his extensive network in the Asian Agricultural market with both traders and service providers. Throughout his career David has had close contact with both corporate and investment banks,  index traders, sovereign wealth managers and hedge funds. David has also worked closely with both regulatory and statutory bodies which has given him an acute understanding of the global commodities market.

After selling their family farm in the mid 80’s, David and his family moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland where he worked in various hotels expanding his customer service skills. David was accepted into the University of Western Sydney where he completed a Stock and Station Agents and Auctioneers Certificate. David spent the next few years in Wool Broking and Livestock marketing until he moved to ABN AMRO to trade on the SFE Trading floor in 1997. He relocated Singapore in 2000 with the intention to increase the inbound SFE business from Asia. In 2006 he started a commodity focused sales and execution desk for UBS before being hired by JP Morgan Singapore in 2008 as the Executive Director of Commodity Futures and Options to help build out their commodity offering particularly in Palm Oil. In 2014 INTL FCStone brought him on to set up and run their Listed Derivatives and Commercial Hedging business for Asia. In 2018, after 18 years in Singapore the decision was made to return home to Australia where David now resides in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

David has recently joined Lachstock Consulting to assist with our commercial hedging as well as grow our opportunities in the Asian Agricultural market. Building opportunities for our growers and corporate clients.

ADVISORS

ANNA WELLS
SENIOR COMMODITY ADVISOR
NORTHERN REGION

Through Anna’s knowledge of the distinctive nature of farming in the north she recognises the need for tailored proactive advice. Her agronomy background and personal farming experience give her an exceptional understanding of the Queensland market.

After starting her career as an agronomist, Anna continued studying this area of expertise at the University of Sydney where she studied Agricultural Commerce. Anna has also completed the Sydney Futures Exchange registered representative course and the CBA Cambiste financial markets seminar. In 1996, she began work at Queensland Cotton as their Marketing Services Officer. After 4 years in this role she moved to Monsanto and joined their team as Business Manager where she won the master sales award for her work developing the first late crop removal program. After almost 8 years at Monsanto Anna joined Louis Dreyfus to develop their accumulation into Northern NSW and Southern QLD.

Anna became part of the Lachstock team in 2012 as Principal Advisor to both consumers and producers in Northern NSW/QLD. Anna’s focus is on business development around grain and cotton in the Northern region.

LACHY HERBERT
SENIOR COMMODITY ADVISOR
CENTRAL REGION

Lachy brings with him 16+ years of grain market experience and has held roles right along the grain supply chain from accumulation to oilseed processing, though to export sales of finished goods. Lachy’s breadth of experience provides him with an extensive understanding of global and local markets which allow him to analyse and interpret opportunities for our client base.

Lachy graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Agriculture before spending 10 years at Cargill Australia Ltd, progressing through various trading & leadership roles. In 2015, Lachy moved to Wagga to build the trading and risk management capabilities for Riverina Oils & BioEnergy during a growth stage for the company. Lachy calls Wagga home, running a mixed farming enterprise with his wife and children.

JOE REYNOLDS
SENIOR COMMODITY ADVISOR
CENTRAL REGION

Joe’s strong background managing grain accumulation and developing regional crop forecasts helps him to identify and build on opportunities within the market. He works within the supply chain to provide efficiencies in line with your trading strategy.

Joe grew up on a family farm in Adelong SNSW and is still involved with his own farming interests. In 2011 he completed a degree in Agribusiness at Charles Sturt University Wagga. He began employment in 2010 with GrainCorp where he took on the role of Grain Merchant for four years. Joe grew his career at GrainCorp eventually moving into the role of Regional Planner.

Joe joined Lachstock Consulting in 2019 as a Senior Advisor for the Central region.  Joe is developing operational and supply chain efficiencies that will assist in refining the strategic direction for clients.

DOUGAL GRIEVE
GRADUATE

Dougal shows some strong character traits in communication, time management and problem solving. Dougal’s experience in his personal Agricultural investments give him the experience to hit the ground running.

Dougal comes to us with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science via the University in Adelaide along with practical business experience in both farming and logistics management.

Dougal joined the Lachstock team in 2024 where he stepped into the vacant role of Graduate. He will receive a structured program to help develop his understanding of the grain industry. In addition, Dougal will be assisting Nick in a logistics capacity.

RESEARCH

AMELIA BROWN
HEAD OF RESEARCH

Amelia Brown is an agricultural economist with a background in Agricultural Forecasting and Policy advice. Her previous role was crops team lead at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). Amelia was the wheat and coarse grains analyst, contributing to ABARES Agricultural Commodities publication and was also part of the team that produces the Australian Crop Report.

Amelia graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Agricultural Economics before starting her career at the Department of Agriculture in Canberra.

Amelia has taken up the Head of Research role at Lachstock, bringing with her, vast economic research and commodity analysis experience.

ANTON NGUYEN
RESEARCH ANALYST & PROGRAMMER

Anton Nguyen is a software engineer with a background in transformation of databases into a more dynamic and event driven architecture. His previous roles were as a developer in the software delivery and value stream management space. Anton has managed, designed, and developed analysis tools for multiple sectors including Investment Banking, Hedge Funds, Legal, Telecommunications and Health Care.

Anton comes to us with a Bachelor of Computer Science from Adelaide University.

Anton takes on the role of analyst and programmer within our research team. Working closely with Amelia, Anton is now responsible for developing improved pathways for our research team.

JAMES BARBER
ANALYST & PROGRAMMER

James Barber has completed both a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor Computer Science at Adelaide University where he is now enrolled in a Masters of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. James has a wealth of knowledge in coding and development with a passion in statistics modelling and data analytics.

James brings his skills in algorithm design and data structure analysis to help Lachstock develop more efficient processes around our data management.

ADMINISTRATION

GEORGIE VAN BEEK
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Georgie provides support to the Lachstock team ensuring systems, processes and reports are accurate and up to date.

With a strong background in customer service and accounts management,  Georgie’s strengths lie in customer relations, operational efficiency and financial improvement.

Georgie joined Lachstock consulting in 2017 as Business Administrator and now manages the improvement, development and implementation of business practices.

ELLA CARRACHER
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

Ella provides support to our Central team ensuring that reports, contracts and brokers notes are up to date and accurate.

With strong attention to detail, Ella uses her background in services to assist the Wagga Wagga team in ensuring that processes are working seamlessly.

Ella joined Lachstock consulting in 2022 as casual accounts assistant, moving into a permanent role in 2023. She works closely with Joe and Herb in the application of business practices for the Central team.

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