Staff Profiles

Kim Houghton, Director
Kim set up Strategic Economic Solutions Pty Ltd in 1997 to provide services to a broad range of clients wanting to understand the economic issues affecting their communities and develop practical responses.The company specialises in local economic development and small business.

The Company works extensively on regional labour markets in Australia, looking at where jobs have grown or declined, with a particular emphasis on building community profiles, creating employment and issues for young people.

The Company has a very strong track record in helping communities across Australia, and among other things has conducted a study on home-based businesses in two states focusing on helping employment growth in these very small businesses, developed a 'small business readiness' self assessment kit and has completed a number of other projects to foster growth in the broader small business sector.

Before founding SES, Dr Houghton completed a major study for the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) titled Jobs in Our Regions: Building on the Small Business Base. The book presents a comprehensive analysis of small business in regional Australia, examining the major constraints on regional small business growth and offering practical solutions.

Kim's previous work has included Adviser in the Economic Planning Advisory Commission (EPAC) and other positions in the Commonwealth Government. He has lived and worked in Japan for many years, and was Executive Officer at the Australia-Japan Research Centre at the Australian National University for four years.

Kim's other qualifications include a BSc Hons in Geophysics from the University of Tasmania, accreditation as a community mediator and facilitator, and a reputation as a performance poet.

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Thomas Fell, Researcher

Tom Fell has worked with SES as a researcher since early 2009. Tom’s main work with SES has been in survey design and analysis, undertaking interviews and consultations, preparing local and regional economic overviews, and drafting the economic development strategy for Adaminaby.

Thomas has a background and interest in Natural Resource Management with an Honours Degree in Natural Resources from UNE in 2005. Tom’s academic work is of a very high standard, and he was awarded the John Burton Memorial Prize in Natural Resources in 2005 and the Australian Association of Natural Resource Management (NSW Branch) Prize in 2004.

Prior to working with SES, Tom worked as both a Human Resource Advisor and Policy Officer for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, after successfully completing the Graduate Program in that Department. Tom has high level skills in analytical research, preparing reports and government briefings, as well as good knowledge of government process and regional agricultural issues and industries. Tom is currently working part-time with SES while completing a Bachelor of Music at ANU.

Merran Laver, Researcher

Merran has worked on a diverse range of projects for SES since 1999.

She enjoys the variety of experience in this role, particularly projects involving the rural / regional sectors.

Health is another strong area of interest; Merran has worked in various positions in this field, and has just completed a graduate diploma in (medical) journalism.

Her professional interest in writing and editing is reflected in the work she has done for SES and for other organisations, and in a range of publications.

Academic Qualifications

Professional History

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