Former Verve Energy chief executive officer John Lillywhite (above) has been appointed group CEO of South Perth-based biodiesel company, Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd, replacing the company’s founder, Darryl Butcher, in the role. Mr Lillywhite joined the company in January as chief executive of ARF’s Australian operations, having left his position as inaugural CEO of WA’s major power generator, Verve Energy, in December last year. He was formerly Western Power general manager – generation and, prior to that, managed the retail arm of the state-owned utility. Mr Butcher has resigned from his executive and board positions at ARF with immediate effect and will pursue private business interests. Meanwhile, ARF has signed a supply agreement with Wesfarmers Premier Coal, to supply up to 1.5 million litres of biodiesel for the Premier Collie coal mine every year. The 10 per cent biodiesel blend will be supplied from ARF’s Picton plant. Earlier this month, ARF also signed an agreement with Caltex Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd to provide up to five million litres of biodiesel annually for a diesel-biodiesel blend. The company’s South Australian-based Largs Bay plant and WA-based Picton plant will jointly supply the biodiesel. ARF also secured a contract with Bunbury mining and earthmoving contractor Piacentini & Son in May, which committed to purchasing up to eight million litres of biodiesel in the next year.