Employment | Toutie.biz

Employment History:

Head of Agriculture - Agricultural

Centuria Capital Group

June 2020 – Current

My current role is a multifaceted role that incorporates the ongoing management of investment vehicles, the further expansion and development of existing investment vehicles, supporting the establishment of new agricultural Funds and playing a hands-on role in the deployment of capital and the acquisition and management of assets in Australia and New Zealand.

The role is responsible for the overall performance of the assets including financial, environmental, social and governance outcomes. It plays a central role in coordinating fund strategic planning, performance management and reporting. Additionally, it is responsible for engaging directly with investors and presenting periodic performance reports.

Up until 18 months ago I was the only Agricultural specific employee in the group and have and have had overarching responsibility for the development of 3 x unlisted investment trusts and the management and eventual divestment of the ASX listed A-REIT “Vitalharvest”. The below further outlines some of the specifics of the role.

• Co-ordination, management and reporting of all Fund operations, listed, unlisted and mandate.

• Involvement in purchase and sale transactions including financial modelling, property “due diligence” and preparation of investor information memoranda

• Property budgeting, report preparation and assisting with finance and accounting

• Leading major fund or asset strategic projects, in collaboration with tenants, IB’s and the Centuria board, with a strong focus on farm sustainability initiatives.

• Driving Fund level ESG performance through strategic initiatives via coordination with the property managers/asset level staff.

• Leading coordination of Fund level budget for investor approval.

• Co-ordination and management of Fund and operational staff, and external partners engaged in specific funds or assets.

• Providing technical and specialist guidance across the organisation in relation to agriculture asset management and land disposition extending to land acquisition within the NZ fund mandates.

• Supporting fund raising and development of new managed fund vehicles.

• Contributing to corporate strategy, governance, sustainability and responsible investment activities across the business.

• Capital raising, marketing and investor liaison activities

• Property/fund reconciliations, outgoings monitoring and recoveries

• Management of Capex project development, approval, deployment and ultimate project management across the portfolio

• Development of a debt fund product in alignment with our overarching acquisition strategy for Agriculture

• Management of all existing properties and tenant partners for further growth as well as selective divestment of assets

• Preparation of & Attendance on ASX reporting as a presenter of annual and half year results

• Attendance to investor roadshows and liaising with new and potential investors.

Managing Director and Founder

Raine Agri-Capital

January 2014 – June 2020

Maintain sufficient transaction flow to fund operations through the operation of a (mainly) off market rural real estate agency
Liaising and working directly with investors in China, Europe, and the United States; building relationships with a wide variety of clients including listed companies, corporations, finance companies as well as family-owned farms, and offshore investment funds and key supply chain partners
Review and implement structured asset acquisition strategy
Implement enterprise formation and operating strategy
Negotiate Sydney University Collaboration
Review and negotiate external calf supply strategy
Review and implement Embryo Transfer strategy
Review and implement intensive feeding strategy Implement farm operating strategy
Review Robotic Abattoir development
Seed an end to end beef supply chain system with the goal of full automation and AI decision making
Ensuring utilisation of the most up-to-date technology and marketing methods to produce excellent bottom line figures

Achievements

After 3 successful years I focused on my own investment to source and fund a standalone beef operation where Raine AgriCapital would cede to a greenfield agricultural investment group, now known as CopperTree Farms
Worked with Sydney University on an embryo transfer project (2016-2017) with the goal of achieving restaurant desires of similar beef output on a weekly/yearly basis; this led me to an introduction to the Perich family
Worked with the Perich and Moxey families to develop a program that shifted their retired dairy cows from a low value by product to a high value product, now on the menu at many of Australia’s best restaurants; the developers of this leading NSW dairy business have invested in 2 x large farms in northern Victoria
After being introduced to Neil Perry and his staff, who promises to “deliver the greatest pieces of meat you are ever going to have in your own home”, I have been integral to the development of CopperTree Farms Fine Food Vault, an online buying platform that is now serving the best Chef’s at Australia’s finest award winning restaurants such as Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, Firedoor and Fred’s, and has recently joined forces with Rockpool
Invited to, and attended, the global trade finance forum in Sydney as a Panellist and Guest Speaker– 2015
Awarded Number 1 in New South Wales and 2nd Nationally
Providing ongoing consultation within the robotic farming industry

Key Account Manager – Corporate Agribusiness

ANZ Banking Group

October 2011 – January 2014

Major client, Farmgate Agribusiness, is an emerging unit within ANZ that provides specialist financial products and services to medium and large Farmgate & corporate agribusiness entities
As the sole business development manager in NSW, I was involved with various sectors in the supply chain across NSW and the Border Rivers including, Horticulture & Broadacre Grain and Oilseed producers, Sheep and Cattle Graziers & service to industry such as farm input resellers, exporters and commodity merchants
New business development via several different platforms such as email, phone, and face to face
Assessing economic value and risk potential of new business
Corporate account management
Reviewed Agribusiness products; development, implementation, and ongoing oversight of new agribusiness products
Investigate strategic initiatives and make recommendations to the senior management team
Proactively calling on networks of contacts to help identify new business and referral opportunities

Achievements

ANZ's Super Regional Strategy is enhancing Australian farmers capacity to transact end-to-end, from the Farmgate through to export markets, through its many customers and locations throughout the Asia pacific region; this has given me extensive exposure to structured trade finance, with a particular focus on larger-scale primary production and export of Australian commodities into the Asia Pacific region
Investment review: On behalf of ANZ, and in conjunction with PWC, I conducted a business review of Australia's fourth largest integrated meat processing business; I concluded that the business was an acceptable risk but would need significant organisational change, investment and process automation. After various changes were suggested & implemented, they became an official client
The PWC lawyer and I worked well together to the extent that we later jointly established a small but successful beef investment, managed under a collaboration with Sydney University, and various external Project Partners

Regional Manager (Armidale & Guyra)

Elders Rural Services Australia ltd

April 2010 – October 2011

Responsible for all aspects of (livestock focused) stock & station agency, including supervising and mentoring 19 staff across 2 locations, and 5 core products
Change management and leading the rebuilding/rebranding of the Branch in response to new competition, and entering a “productivity Partner” era
Development of whole supply chain livestock contracts into Killara feedlot with key players in the market
First deal commenced July 2010 with Sundown Pastoral Company, a scale that had to be approved by the Board of Elders international, as well as key strategic animal health sales development
Managed all aspects of branch operations and led a team effectively to achieve sales and earnings targets including managing performance and professional development of employees
Developing Branch business plans and managing safety and compliance requirements
Developing sales opportunities; managing sales, profit, and operational performance
Driving the marketing and promotion of Branch products
Assisting in the generation of referrals and cross-selling opportunities
Implementing processes and initiatives to meet financial targets

Corporate Agribusiness Banking Manager

Commonwealth Bank

March 2008 – April 2010

Development and management of all aspects of a corporate agribusiness banking portfolio
New business development via several different platforms such as email, phone, and face to face
Assessing economic value and risk potential of new business
Corporate account management and keeping in regular contact with clients
Managed, upgraded, and reviewed Agribusiness products; development, implementation, and ongoing oversight of new and existing agribusiness products
Investigate strategic initiatives and make recommendations to the senior management team
Proactively calling on networks of contacts to help identify new business and referral opportunities
Implementing initiatives to support customer acquisition
Educating customers about their business options and providing sound advice about risk and opportunities for growth; helping them understand the risk and profitability to achieve their desired outcomes safely and effectively
Budget forecasts and preparing and submitting customer lending proposals
Management of staff including onboarding, training, and supervising team members
Liaise and support with marketing teams for the coordination and production of marketing campaigns
Measuring and monitoring of local marketing plans and campaigns

Achievements

Successfully reviewed and funded the largest structured Farm acquisition deal for CBA in 2009; I was then offered a senior role where I reviewed and banked the acquisition of Gundaline Station. The bank viewed it as a high-risk structured acquisition, but my knowledge of the industry, the physical asset, and the skill of everyone involved allowed me to present it as an opportunity that was later approved as a very low risk grade approval
Honoured and selected as one of only two Agricultural Managers to undertake the Executive Entry Program through Macquarie Graduate School of Management

Regional Manager – Merchandise

GrainCorp, Agplus (Restructure Contract)

May 2007 – February 2008

Ultimately to prepare the business unit for sale.
Management of all aspects of a rural supply business, including budget management & forecasting, merchandise procurement, negotiation with suppliers, dispute resolution, and record keeping
Recruitment and training of new staff and managers
Responsible for the management of operating sites and overall responsibility for the leadership of permanent + casual staff
Management of operations and regional logistics
Industry & Government Engagement and leadership in Safety, Health & Environment policies, and procedures
Financial management of the Region to achieve budget and return on investment
Retention, expansion, and growth of business opportunities

Spade Management Pty Ltd - Founder

April 2004 – May 2007

Successfully established the business, working with various companies to service their clients by providing a high level of customer service sufficient to maximise sales whilst maintaining the integrity & independence of various products/companies
By maintaining regular contact with Growers, Consultants, resellers, competitors and key industry members, we were able to identify and evaluate new business areas, and assess risks for various products; in turn identifying ways in which to avoid these risks, and maximise the profitability and lifespan of each product
Working collaboratively with all stakeholders, internally and externally, to drive outcomes, resolve any issues and ultimately improve service performance
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients to understand their current and future needs

Agronomist, Merchandising

Elders Agricultural Retail, New South Wales

April 2000 – March 2004

Fee for service crop consulting & broad acre sales agronomy to develop a profitable customer base through a high standard of efficient customer service and providing product recommendations to generate profitable sales
Working closely with management, providing technical advice and product recommendations to clients
Liaising with colleagues across the business and playing an active role in representing Elders in campaigns, field days, community events and forums
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients to understand their current and future needs
Manage merchandise operations and working to grow market share and deliver exceptional service
Providing clients with agronomic technical advice and recommend products accordingly
Identifying and cultivating new agronomic sales opportunities for prospective and existing clients
Creation of development plans and preparation of protocols

Achievements

Employed as the Consultant to the CSD trial farm "Little Mollee" where in a challenging insect and weather year I was able to achieve a farm average yield and quality better than any prior year
As a result of my success in this role, I was offered a full-time role with Adrian Schwagger as a farm Head Agronomist which I declined to pursue other areas of Agribusiness learning, an invaluable period that ultimately led me into banking

On Farm Agronomist

Tandou Ltd (Broken Hill), New South Wales

April 1998 – April 2000

Performing agronomic services for clients with farm management including planning, monitoring, testing & inspecting
Helping identify and resolve problems which may have negatively affected the productivity of their farms
Preparing and managing plans for crop improvement, using technologies and infrastructure for enhanced production
Machinery operation, technology implementation and use.
Pest, weed and disease identification
Agronomic management of complex irrigation systems
Implementation of remote Water Management Systems
Plant treatment and green space management
Testing of plant and agri-food products
Providing management and technical consultancy services
Record keeping/data entry into various purpose-built programs