LAWD has announced the appointment of agribusiness specialist, Jaclyn Hope, to its board and the position of Senior Director, Agribusiness Transactions/Corporate Advisory.

Over the past 10 years, Ms Hope has become a leader in transaction services, strategy, debt and corporate restructuring, deal flow and asset management, advising domestic and international clients on significant projects across the Australian agricultural industry.

Most recently, she was a Partner in PwC’s Mergers and Acquisitions team, specialising in food and agribusiness, complementing her earlier experience in banking and finance, grain and cotton marketing and industry knowledge garnered while growing up in a family agribusiness enterprise. Ms Hope also holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness from the University of New England.

LAWD Chief Executive Officer, Enda Foley, said Ms Hope’s appointment would spearhead the firm’s expansion of its corporate advisory services.

“Recently, LAWD has announced a number of new impact appointments to increase our geographic footprint, however our growth strategy also includes broadening into service streams adjacent to transactions and valuations,” Mr Foley said.

“We see Jaclyn as one of the country’s most exciting thinkers in food and agribusiness and she will be integral to our delivery of industry best corporate advisory.

“Her appointment will be a key differentiator of our business in the market, uniquely positioning us to deliver both traditional real estate and professional services.”

Since inception in 2020, LAWD has quickly become a leader in specialist property led by some of the nation’s most prominent agents and valuers, including Danny Thomas, Col Medway, Tim McKinnon, and Peter Sagar with a presence in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

LAWD Senior Director, Danny Thomas, said Ms Hope’s high level of technical skill, along with new perspectives and insights, would be welcomed by the board.

“Jaclyn has overseen large and complex transactions and has a genuine understanding of the opportunities held within the agricultural sector,” Mr Thomas said.

“She will also bring greater diversity of background to our senior leadership team and an enthusiasm for mentoring the rising talent within our business.”

Originally from Dalby on Queensland’s Western Downs, Ms Hope holds a particular interest in succession planning and supporting families in the intergenerational transfer of assets and skillsets, and providing strategic advice to a diverse spectrum of agricultural asset holders and businesses.

“The continued growth of interest in Australian agriculture, particularly from institutions, is driving greater demand for specialist agribusiness advisory services and I am thrilled to be joining LAWD to complement its established leadership in transactions and valuations,” Ms Hope said.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the board, and with the business’ rapidly growing team of property professionals, to expand the corporate advisory stream and provide LAWD clients with a comprehensive service offering.

“As someone who has enjoyed a diverse and highly rewarding career in agriculture and finance, I am also looking forward to supporting others forge their own paths in these vibrant industries.”

Ms Hope will be based in LAWD’s Brisbane office and will commence from April 2024. Her appointment follows the business’ recent expansion in regional NSW through the acquisition of the real estate arm of McCulloch Agencies and appointment of Daniel McCulloch as a LAWD shareholder and Senior Director of Agribusiness Transactions. In October, respected Central Queensland rural property specialist Grant Veivers joined LAWD as Director, Agribusiness Transactions – Queensland and, recently, Stuart McDonald was appointed Senior Director, Valuations in South Australia, while Nick Butler joined LAWD as Director, Agribusiness Transactions in New South Wales.