David Watson, Director

 

David Watson brings over 28 years of experience across the Australian and international cotton markets, as well as broader agricultural commodity and financial markets.

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Over the course of his career, David has held senior roles encompassing marketing, risk management, brokering, advisory, and executive leadership functions, both in Australia and internationally. His experience spans the full spectrum of the cotton value chain, integrating physical market expertise with financial and derivative market execution.

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David has developed and implemented structured marketing and risk management strategies for producers, merchants, exporters, and commercial participants, with a strong focus on disciplined price risk mitigation and margin protection in volatile market environments.

He has held key positions with leading organisations including Colly Cotton, Twynam Agricultural Group, ECOM Agroindustrial Corporation, INTL FCStone, Jernigan Commodities, and JCL Commodities. This breadth of experience provides him with deep insight into global trade flows, international merchandising, and financial market integration.

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David holds a Bachelor of Economics from The University of Sydney and has completed graduate studies in Applied Finance and Investment through the Securities Institute of Australia. He attended the American Cotton Shippers Association International Cotton Institute in Memphis, Tennessee, where he earned his USDA Cotton Classing Certificate.

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He has also been a Registered Representative of the Sydney Futures Exchange and has maintained RG146 compliance as a registered representative of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) holder, advising clients in financial and derivative products. These regulatory and market credentials reinforce his strong governance and compliance framework when delivering client solutions.

For further professional background, please refer to David’s LinkedIn profile.

         

 

Ben Middleton, Director

 

Ben Middleton brings over 18 years of experience across the Australian and international cotton markets, as well as broader agricultural commodity and financial markets.

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Throughout his career, Ben has held senior roles spanning trading, risk management, commercial strategy, and executive leadership. His experience includes the development and implementation of structured risk management frameworks, price exposure mitigation strategies, and disciplined trading programs across both physical and derivative markets.

 

Ben’s background combines hands-on market execution with strategic oversight, providing clients with practical, commercially grounded guidance in managing volatility and protecting margins.

He has held key positions with leading organisations including Queensland Cotton, Olam International, Jernigan

 

Commodities, and JCL Commodities, gaining deep insight into global supply chains, export markets, and financial market integration.

 

Ben holds a Bachelor of Business Management from The University of Queensland and has undertaken specialised study in commodities futures and options trading through K2, further strengthening his technical risk management expertise.

 

For further professional background, please refer to Ben’s LinkedIn profile.

               

 

For enquiries or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact us at info@jclcom.com