In profile: Colliers International's manager - rural and agribusiness, Jesse Manuel

Name: Jesse Manuel

Position: Manager – rural and agribusiness

Company: Colliers International

Office Location: Adelaide

How long have you been in the industry?

About 10 years. I started in residential real estate in a small country town. Given my farming background I moved to a boutique rural agency in Adelaide before joining Colliers International in 2007 as one of the original start-up members of the Rural & Agribusiness specialisation.

What’s happening in the area you specialise in?

Consolidation. Many of the well-positioned larger producers and long-standing industry participants with minimal debt have taken advantage of their position, acquiring neighbours and competitors. There is considerable interest in Australian agriculture from Chinese buyers such food companies and major private investors. Institutional investors from Europe and the US are also emerging as an important segment of the buyer market for large scale farming assets.

Describe the most interesting property you have sold?

By virtue of the asset class I deal with, nearly all of the assets seem ‘interesting’ to people from outside the industry. We have sold a vertically integrated oyster business comprising extensive water and land-based operations, chicken meat farms, large scale forestry plantations and country mansions.

What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?

Be passionate, eager to learn and expand your network, and never ever give up.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

Dealing with new people and interesting properties on a daily basis, and the thrill of a deal!

Where would invest a spare $750,000?

$750,000 won’t go a long way in commercial farming but I would say the chicken meat sector is one of the best-performing agribusiness industries currently, so that would have to be a consideration. I would also invest in a vineyard in a renowned region such as the Barossa Valley because values are on the way up.

Which football team do you support?

The mighty Adelaide Crows! We’ll make top four this year.

What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?

Google maps.

How do you use social media?

LinkedIn is very helpful in finding contacts within organisations you don’t have relationships with. We also like promoting our deals and sharing research reports with our clients.