Brian Sikes, the 10th CEO of Cargill, has been promoted from his former position as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Protein at the global grain giant. Sikes has risen through the ranks within the private and exclusive world of Cargill, which operates in multiple countries including Brazil, Vietnam, and the western suburbs of Minneapolis.

Sikes’ predecessor, David MacLennan, navigated the company through difficult times including trade wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for sustainability during the presidency of Donald Trump. Cargill, which operates processing plants in several locations, is known for feeding the world, but is also a significant contributor to the world’s carbon emissions.

Despite facing challenges, Sikes is confident in his role and sees leading Cargill as an opportunity to make a significant impact. The company is involved in shipping grain and raw foodstuffs to various countries, including countries that are considered rogue, but food is not seen as a weapon by Sikes.

The CEO believes that by working with intermediaries, such as the Chinese ambassador, he can deliver his message to Russia, which has recently invaded Ukraine.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was established in August through negotiations led by Turkey and the UN, which opened up safe shipping lanes from Ukrainian ports. Cargill was involved in the first shipment of grain and continues to play a key role in supplying staple foods to nations to prevent a food crisis.

Despite being a privately-owned company, Cargill posted a record revenue of $165 billion in 2022, which would place it among the top 15 largest companies in the US if it was publicly traded. The company believes that Sikes has the ability to guide Cargill successfully in the future.