Chairman of QSL Mike Carroll said Mr Beashel brought extensive industry knowledge to the role, had more than 19 years' experience in the sugar industry and had proven a strong and capable leader for the organisation over the past few months.

"The board of directors is delighted to confirm his appointment to the CEO role on a permanent basis," Mr Carroll said.

"We selected Mr Beashel based on his strong leadership and interpersonal skills, ability to effectively manage all facets of QSL's business from marketing and pricing through to operations and logistics, and his excellent understanding of customer needs.

"Over the past few months QSL has performed very well under Greg's leadership. He has overseen the successful implementation of a number of recommendations from the pooling and pricing review and at this stage we are on track to deliver a record pool return for the 2011 season.

"That bodes well for following seasons and we are confident that Greg will do a great job of continuing to shape the commercial direction of QSL for the benefit of Queensland sugar growers and milling companies over the coming years.

"Greg will play a key role on the board as managing director and we are looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to set and pursue QSL's strategic direction," he said.

Mr Beashel has been with QSL since 2000, prior to which he had seven years with CSR based in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in a variety of positions ranging from a shift work production role at a sugar refinery in Perth to a marketing role with CSR's export marketing group in Sydney.