Jo Kelly

Financial Controller and Payroll Officer, Kelly Engineering
 https://kellytillage.com/

Jo Kelly has a Graduate Diploma in Business Management and worked alongside Shane in Kelly Engineering for 20 years. Initially Jo was responsible for all reception and administration duties along with incoming and outgoing financial transactions. Jo also managed FX transactions and was responsible for payroll of up to 60 staff. As the business grew more staff were employed in the reception and admin area and Jo worked mainly in the finance team. Jo juggled her responsibilities in Kelly Engineering with raising 4 children and community volunteering including 15 years as a member of the Governing council at the local school where she was chairperson for several years.

All Sessions by Jo Kelly

  • 11 May 2023


  • 12:00  - 12:45
    Kelly Engineering was started by Peter Kelly over 30 years ago as an extra enterprise to support the family farm financially. Since then the business has enjoyed strong growth – both in Australia and its exports to all corners of the globe. Peter’s ingenious invention, the diamond harrow, is a tillage device that rebuilds soils, preserves moisture and improves the profitability of farms sustainably and holistically. Peter’s son Shane could see the diamond harrow’s potential and wanted to dedicate the full resources of the business to see how far this idea could be taken. These growth ambitions meant that Kelly Engineering had to change from thinking and acting like a small, regional company to a large, globally-focused company. Hear from second-generation husband and wife, Shane and Jo Kelly who will discuss their approaches to innovation and the growth process and the prevalent challenges within the family regarding differences and comfort levels around risk. They will also share their insights into the benefits of bringing into the family-run operation non-family managers as part of the succession process and investors as part of the growth cycle and the family business’s core values to ensure that the legacy they leave is a positive one for their children, grandchildren and their future generations. Facilitated by Dr Chris Graves, University of Adelaide Business School.
    Plenary Session




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Jo Kelly