The RIC Board today announced the appointment of Mr John Howard as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).
John brings extensive national leadership experience as a Chief Executive within the Agricultural, Foods and Financial management industries through periods of acquisition, growth, and transformation.
RIC Board Chair, Ms Karen Smith-Pomeroy congratulated John on his appointment and recognised his expertise in developing and deploying business strategy while building highly effective, engaged teams in times of market expansion or rapid change.
“I am delighted to welcome John as the RIC Chief Executive Officer as our organisation continues to build on strong foundations and deliver our strategic purpose as a key partner with Australian agriculture,” Ms Smith-Pomeroy said.
“John brings a wealth of experience that will be beneficial to delivering long-term strength, resilience and prosperity to farm businesses for sustainable growth to the sector,” she said.
John has almost 10 years’ experience in the grains industry, has worked in stock and station agency and has previously run the family farm in Walgett, NSW. He has worked across all areas of the agricultural supply chain, from primary production (family and corporate farming), commodity marketing, trading, manufacturing and food marketing. John also has experience in financial investment markets and financial restructuring. Prior to the RIC, John worked as a senior leader in organisations such as, AAM Investment Group, CommStream Capital, Peanut Company of Australia, Golden Circle Limited and Mars Inc/ Masterfoods.
Ms Smith-Pomeroy took the opportunity to thank RIC Acting CEO, Paul Dowler who made a significant contribution to the RIC throughout 2022. Paul Dowler will resume his role on the RIC’s leadership team as Executive Director of Corporate Services.
John will commence his new role as the RIC Chief Executive Officer on 21 November 2022 and will be based in the RIC Office in Orange, NSW.
Download profile of RIC CEO John Howard
Media Contact: Melanie Monico | E media@ric.gov.au | M 0478 401 158
About the Regional Investment Corporation
The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) is a federal government-backed specialist finance provider for farmers, farm-related small businesses and plantation businesses. For the 2021-22 financial year, the RIC has approved more than 175 total loans valued at over $180 million. Since its inception on 1 July 2018, the RIC has approved more than 2855 total loans valued at over $3.10 billion as at 30 September 2022.