Agribusiness Advisory & Consultancy Services

As a seasoned expert with a proven track record in commercial food and agribusiness, innovation and international research and development, Howard can assist your organisation with valuable insights into strategic options, market trends, operational improvement, social and environmental challenges and international trends and issues.

He can help you adapt your business strategies to meet consumer expectations and seize new opportunities.

Harnessing years of experience at the forefront of Australian food and agribusiness and international agricultural research and development, Howard brings a unique perspective to the strategic direction of your business.

He has successfully delivered projects across multiple jurisdictions, cultures and landscapes. His strategic insights have been shared on national and global stages, providing invaluable lessons.

Experience over more than 30 years

Howard has diverse experience across geographies, commercial agribusiness at manufacturing, distribution and retail levels and in international research and development. He has the connections and expertise to deeply research emerging trends, innovative technologies, key influencers and challenges and sustainable practices to ensure you remain in a competitive position in the agribusiness landscape.

For more than 30 years Howard has worked with:-

Family farms and businesses seeking guidance on operations, diversification, expansion, divestment, and succession planning.
Large agribusiness corporations looking to optimise production, supply chain and market strategies.
Agricultural cooperatives and collaborative groups seeking assistance in governance, strategy, process planning, management and market access.
Food processors and manufacturers involved in the processing, packaging and manufacturing of agricultural products.
Livestock businesses involved in livestock production processing and marketing, in beef, dairy, pork and poultry operations.
Agricultural retailers and distributors engaged in selling agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers, equipment).
Agri-food exporters and importers involved in international trade, import and export of agricultural and value added products (such as grains, meat and fresh produce).
Publicly funded agricultural research and development programs and their portfolio projects working in multiple countries and cultures.
International governments and institutions involved in agricultural research and development projects funded by international donors.
Government agricultural departments seeking assistance in policy development, and implementation.
Not for Profit (NFPs) and non-government organisations (NGOs) working in developing countries.
Organic farming and sustainable agriculture businesses dedicated to organic farming and value chains and sustainable agricultural practices.
Horticultural, grain and field crop businesses specialising in fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, oilseed and fibre crops and estate crops.

Key Capabilities

Value/Supply Chain Innovation

Howard Hall has been a leader in value chain management in Australian food and agribusiness, championing the cause and advising clients for more than 25 years. He introduced innovative approaches and concepts from world leading agencies and operators, organised and hosted national workshop series, advised governments and industry and authored books and industry handbooks on the subject.

As Agribusiness Program Manager at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Howard pioneered the first direct co-investment value chain projects with the private sector in the agency’s 40-year history. He also initiated Agribusiness Reference Groups in several developing countries, to build linkages between commercial agribusinesses and value chain projects funded by ACIAR.

Commercial Engagement Expertise (Public Private Partnerships, PPPs)

With a wealth of experience in commercial engagement (PPPs), Howard Hall understands the intricacies of collaborating with diverse partners. He has successfully designed and guided projects across multiple countries, enabling clients to collaborate with diverse commercial and development partners.

With the assistance of the University of Queensland Agribusiness Group Howard initiated and executed the first multinational survey on PPPs in international agricultural R&D. Survey results reaffirmed the importance of PPPs for donors, researchers, governments, and private firms and identified key challenges as defined by respondents from across more than 60 countries.

Performance Benchmarking

Howard pioneered benchmarking in key industries and developed innovative approaches to recruiting participants and the collection, analysis and appropriate presentation of sensitive business information in benchmarking outputs.

Benchmarking is increasingly seen as essential for understanding where your agribusiness stands in the industry (you can’t manage what you can’t measure). Howard can help your business create comprehensive performance benchmarks to gauge your competitiveness.

Stakeholder Engagement, Collaboration, Partnerships

Collaboration with stakeholders, often with diverse perspectives is vital as it helps create a shared appetite for future opportunities. Howard has the experience and insights to assist you to adopt strategies for effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Building effective partnerships within the agribusiness sector is Howard Hall’s forte. Whilst at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Howard successfully initiated and managed innovative multi-jurisdiction projects that saw research teams collaborate effectively with diverse commercial, government and NGO partners. He concurrently established 'best practice' protocols for these engagements.

Product and Process Innovation

In modern food and agribusiness product and process innovation are often unavoidably intertwined. Particularly in fresh and minimally processed food products, new product directions are commonly achieved by an open-minded search for innovation in processing and handling, at multiple points in the chain.

Using his broad expertise, awareness of the interconnected nature of business processes between parties in the chain and global networks, Howard can guide you through product and process innovation.

R&D Strategy and Management

Howard Hall’s experience in evidence-based research and development spans multinational agricultural chemicals, food processing and distribution, levy and Australian government funded agricultural industry research in Australia and donor funded international research and development. He has participated and held roles including: responsible corporate manager, principal investigator, project and program manager and funding donor.

Howard understands the criticality a focus on demonstrable and sustainable outcomes and their uptake or adoption by key beneficiaries or stakeholders. He champions design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation that is outcome focused, and the core principals of SMART design (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant / Realistic and Time specific).

R&D is first and foremost about the people. Particularly beneficiaries and key stakeholder groups beyond the initiating and or managing entity or entities. Plans, processes, intended outcomes and innovations are seldom well executed, achieved or adopted if the people do not perceive that they have agency and ownership in the process and the achievement of outcomes.

Whether in commerce or in the research and development space Howard has invaluable experience and insights that can assist in designing, planning, monitoring and managing successful research and development.

ESG, Carbon and Biodiversity Strategy

In an age of growing global environmental consciousness, Howard can provide guidance on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies. His expertise extends to carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that your agribusiness is aligned with the latest sustainability goals.

Financial Analysis and Advisory

Financial health is the cornerstone of any successful agribusiness. Howard’s advisory services include in-depth investment and financial modelling, analysis and recommendations to optimise outcomes from future opportunities.

Innovation and Change Mentoring

Innovation is often the key to growth and adaptation. Howard offers mentorship and guidance to help you embrace change and foster innovation within your agribusiness.

International Expansion and Partnering

For those seeking global reach, Howard provides invaluable insights into international expansion and strategic partnering options to help you navigate complex global markets and opportunities.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions are often transformative for many agribusinesses. Managing this process for SME, family businesses and smaller corporates can be complex and very demanding on owners and key staff that are ‘in the know’. Howard can help you plan and complete transactions and manage the process and its impacts.

Operational Oversight and Strategy

Operational efficiency is a vital ingredient for success. Howard can apply his experience and understanding of many agribusiness sectors and of the different parties in value chains to provide oversight, review and recommendations to streamline your operations and those of your chain partners and enhance your productivity and viability.

Sales & Marketing

With experience in sales, national sales and marketing management, general management, SME ownership and management (fresh food) and advisory experience over 30 years, Howard can assist in sales and marketing strategy, sales process improvement, building market position and presence and growing your business.

Strategic Transformation

In a rapidly evolving industry, transformation is often the key to being successful. Howard can provide strategic transformation planning to help your business easily adapt to changing landscapes.