Her Story

Isobel Knight has always believed in the saying ‘better safe than sorry.’ She founded Proagtive, a succession planning business, in 2004, with firm belief in the value of active preparation for the future. Through Proagtive, she hopes to make succession planning accessible and affordable to farming families across the country.

Isobel found her calling- helping others navigate the stresses of farming succession- while being involved in two family farms: first, her family’s farm near Junee; then, the cattle-trading enterprise she and her husband Rod currently operate in NSW’s Loomberah. From her years of experience, she’s an expert on the complexities of succession planning, and knows full well the importance of having a concrete plan in order to preserve family farms for future generations.

To support families through this delicate process, Isobel has armed herself with degrees in business law and psychology, and is also a trained counsellor and mediator. Isobel’s ability to address both the financial and emotional aspects of farming succession has set Proagtive apart from the crowd.

More than a decade has passed since Isobel opened Proagtive’s doors. Today, she has successfully worked with more than 400 families towards creating a more secure future for their farms. It’s also the only business in Australia that’s focused solely on family farm succession.

Like many entrepreneurs who’ve walked in her shoes, Isobel knows that the path to success is rarely without hurdles.

“Leadership can be hard, and you can’t always be everybody’s friend.”

Isobel has overcome the obstacles of establishing and running her own business, and has received various awards for her success. In 2013, she won the NSW-ACT Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award, and was Runner-Up for the National segment.

Strategies for Success

• Have a passionate cause.
• Have a vision for how it could be better.
• Perseverance!
• A supportive family.
• A good team around you.

My Expertise

Isobels remarkable level of training and experience sets her apart from anyone else in the field of succession planning.

My Passions

Reading, further education, travel and of course her work with farming families.

My Interests

Isobel grew up in a farming family, married into a farming family and now lives and works on a property with her husband Rod and their three children.