Clients have included the Commonwealth, NSW, Victorian, Queensland, and ACT Governments, private sector organisations, industry associations and overseas governments.

 

Advice for clients has always been built around drawing on his depth of knowledge and experience combined with detailed situation analysis, stakeholder consultation, knowledge of relevant literature, case profiles, and evidence based material on contemporary innovation policy and management practice. Advice is provided in a context of practicality, feasibility, and cost of implementation.

 

John has a strong interest in digital transformation in industry and organisations and its potential for disruptive and transformational

innovation and productivity improvement and related impacts on employment, training and skill requirements. He has prepared several reports for government and industry in these areas. Most are publicly available.

 

He has a PhD from The University of Sydney (Innovation), a Master of Arts from the University of Canberra (Public Policy), and a degree in Economics (Honours) from the University of Tasmania.

 

John's recent projects are can be accessed on this site at innovation, university-business engagement, public policy, industry and regional policy

 

Concurrent appointments

 

Adjunct Professor, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney

This role involves:

• Participating in the academic activities of the UTS Business School.
• Research and publication in the areas of science, technology and innovation policy and innovation management, with a particular focus on regional development, manufacturing and the adoption and application of information and communication technologies.
• Link

 

Adjunct Professor and Academic Fellow, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra

The role involves undertaking contributing to the research portfolio of the Institute and participating in the University's College of Adjuncts.

 

Previous career appointments

 

Partner, Ernst & Young and  PWC

March 1988 – October 1998

Specific responsibilities for Government services consulting including: policy advice, program evaluation, and reviews of management and organization structure, financial systems, and resources.

 

Managing Director, John H Howard & Associates

January 1984 – March 1988, Canberra

John H Howard and Associates was formed to undertake research and consultancy work for the National Inquiry into Local Government Finance in the area of local government revenue raising. Subsequent work was undertaken for the National Review of Local Government Labour Markets, the NSW Inquiry into Local Government Rating and Revenue Raising, and for a number of Councils in relation to financial, management and organisational issues.

 

Research and Policy Adviser, Australian Public Service

January 1973 – December 1983, Canberra

Research and policy analysis roles in: The Treasury; Department of Urban and Regional Development; Department of Finance; House of Representatives Committee Office;  Advisory Council for Intergovernmental Relations.

 

Education

• PhD, The University of Sydney, 2004. Thesis: Business, Higher Education and Innovation: Institutions for Engagement in a Mode 2 Society. View Thesis
• MA (Admin) University of Canberra, 1985. Thesis: Public Expenditure Management.
• BEc (Hons), University of Tasmania, 1972. Thesis: Question Time in Parliament.

 

Professional affiliations

• Member, Community of Innovation Academics
• Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants in Australia.
• Certified Management Consultant.

 

Board positions

• Great Lakes Education Fund, 2011-present.  Link
• Canberra Business Council (Chair, Economic Development Task Force), 2008-2011. Link
• Research and Learning Institutes Group (a Committee of the Canberra Convention Bureau).
• Epicorp (a business incubator, seed investor), 2008-2011
• Australian Centre of Excellence in Local Government, 2009-2011. Link
• Regional Development Australia (ACT) and Capital Region Development Board (2008-2010)