Succession Planning
We guide farming families through a comprehensive succession process designed to ensure long-term sustainability, harmony, and financial security.
Key Outcomes
1. Strategic and Management Clarity
Mapping out the farm’s management, strategic, and succession plans, including clearly defined roles for the next generation.
2. Financial Confidence for all Generations
Agreed plan to support exiting generation to live comfortably. Agreed future plans for key milestones such as asset transfers, financial payments and change of ownership or entity control from one generation to the next.
3. Planning for the Next Phase of Life
Building a clear vision for life beyond full time farming. This includes personal fulfilment, contribution to farm operations and financial security for the exiting generation.
4. Family Unity
Strengthening family ties through open communication, trust and shared vision.
Rules and expectations pertaining to communication and conflict resolution will be agreed and documented.
5. Upskilling Plan for Next Generation to Ensure Future Farm Success
For the next generation, professional development and upskilling plan including key farm management and business areas such as finance, agronomy and entrepreneurship to facilitate great leadership and future oversight. Building a mentoring relationship within the family to ensure support and knowledge sharing.
6. Current Business SnapShot and Customised Action Plan
In-depth farm financial and management analysis and report identifying key profit drivers and development areas. Delivery of farm management information in a manner that includes all farm stakeholders (family).
Multi-disciplinary action plan to boost accountability as well as engaging professionals to implement required changes such as updating Wills.
Our Process
Our Point of Difference
- Extensive farm management knowledge and strategies
Work with an experienced team that has a focus on the long-term success and profit drivers of your farm to ensure the farm and family remain healthy.
We have a track-record with supporting farming families through this critical period in their business lifecycle. - We understand that you are a family first and a business as well. So, we will go beyond traditional succession planning by integrating psychological and interpersonal support to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition. This means focusing on your family and ensuring it remains healthy throughout this process. We provide:
Psychological Support
Regular coaching calls for all family members to navigate emotional and relational dynamics.
Conflict Mediation
Professional facilitation available to resolve disputes and maintain family harmony.
Professional Development
Educational workshops and support focused on improving communication, transparency, and leadership skills.
Common obstacles to a smooth transition
Family relationships are inherently complex. We tend to form strong opinions about one another, often shaped more by the negative experiences than the positive ones. These perceptions directly influence the level of trust we place in each other, which operates on two key levels:
1. Relational trust
Can I confide in you? Do I feel safe being myself around you? Do I trust that you care, will listen without judgment, and respect my perspective?
2. Operational trust
Can I rely on you to follow through, be competent, and reduce rather than add to my stress? Do we collaborate effectively, or are we better off working independently?
The degree of relational and operational trust affects how we connect, communicate and how easily we become triggered in interactions. When trust is low, sensitivity is high—and conflict becomes more likely.
Common causes of conflict in family farming contexts
- Feeling disrespected or unappreciated
- Making significant financial decisions without consulting key stakeholders
- Implementing changes on the farm without explanation or inclusion
- Lack of financial control
- Not having equal input into the operations and strategic direction of the farm
- Uncertainty around succession—who will take over, and when
- Sibling rivalry or personality clashes
- Differing attitudes toward financial risk and spending
- Threats made ( I’ll walk off the farm, or I’ll excluded from the will)
- Fear of divorce, which can jeopardize the farm’s legacy…or low trust in new DIL or SIL
This is where the unique offering of psychological and interpersonal support provided by our experienced team will assist you and your family. We will assist to build trust and reduce conflict, making way for a smooth succession transition and a cohesive family.
When do you need to put your succession plan in place?
Succession planning isn’t just about passing on assets, it’s about preserving trust, relationships, and the legacy of your farm. When trust begins to erode, it’s natural to avoid conflict, resist relinquishing control, or hesitate to place your life’s work in someone else’s hands. But clarity is key. Family members should know where they stand, have clear timelines, and be informed on their future role, financial position, projected asset distribution, and debt responsibilities.
A good rule of thumb: start sooner rather than later. Succession may be a ten-year journey—gradually reducing responsibilities for the outgoing generation while building skills, experience, and financial security for the next. This approach ensures a smooth transition and safeguards the wellbeing of all stakeholders.
Why you need our succession service
Our interdisciplinary team offers a holistic approach to succession planning, combining expertise across key areas:
1. Farm Management and Strategic Planning
We help chart the best course for your farm’s future—covering management transition, asset allocation, financial sustainability, and strategic growth opportunities.
2. People Development and Mediation
We offer counselling support to help navigate strained relationships, streamline communication, create realistic expectations and facilitate an understanding of each other’s perspectives
3. Collaboration with Your Trusted Advisors
We work alongside your existing accountant and/or lawyer to align legal, financial, and personal goals—ensuring the best possible outcomes for you and your family.
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