Martin Webber

Martin Webber is co-owner of J.E. Austin Associates, a Washington DC-based consultancy that catalyzes economic growth in developing and emerging economies through responsible and competitive business performance.  He is a leading expert in promoting entrepreneurship, strategy and competitiveness, agribusiness and enterprise development.

Mr. Webber has worked in more than 70 countries, leading high-quality study and analysis, project design and feasibility assessment, and implementation. He has supervised and implemented hundreds of assignments in almost 100 countries, ensuring transfer of skills and knowledge, high-quality deliverables, and close communication with clients. He leads JAA’s decentralized economic development, value chain strategy, business services and agribusiness practices. 

Martin has advised National Competitiveness Initiatives in 12 countries. He has been a strategy consultant and technical advisor to more than 35 industry clusters and 40 value chain initiatives.

In 2017, Martin was the Keynote Speaker at the Annual Conference of the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) - Attracting Investment for the Missing Middle in Agri-food Sector in Developing Countries.  He is a frequent lecturer and speaker on enterprise and entrepreneurship themes, competitiveness and agribusiness.  He is co-author of two books that are widely used in the industry - the recent FAO Sourcebook, “Territorial Tools for Agro-industry Development”, and the World Bank’s Guide to Value Chain Concepts and Applications – Building Competitiveness in Africa’s Agriculture. 

Mr. Webber is from Montreal, where he maintains strong ties.  He lived for extended periods in both West and East Africa.  He graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Management (Bachelor of Commerce), and earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He was co-awarded the “Making a Difference Award” from the alumni of Harvard Business School’s. 

Martin’s company believes that good strategy, market linkage, well-selected entry points and empowered implementation by stakeholders can jump start a virtuous circle of investment, market success and competitiveness.  This success benefits millions of people.  Through almost 700 assignments in more than 125 countries, J.E. Austin’s mission has always been to help populations to increase their wealth and well-being through productive, responsible business activity.  JAA’s ability to translate concept into practical, new approaches and implementation has continually provided economic leadership, stakeholders and practitioners worldwide with effective tools to promote economic growth.