Having qualified as a Pharmacist in 1995 Howard Kelly was thrust into the family business by the unexpected death of his father. Having completed his military service and after working part time as a Pharmacist Howard has been managing Riverbend Crocodile Farm since 1989. In 1990 he was first invited to be a member of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) as an African representative and currently still serves on this body.

With his pharmaceutical and medical background he has developed a clear understanding of crocodile biology with an intimate knowledge of the breeding cycle of the Nile Crocodile. 

Riverbend Crocodile Farm was the second commercial crocodile farm to be established in South Africa and as a result of 25 years of commercial breeding experience Howard now acts as a consultant both in South Africa and abroad in the field of commercial crocodile breeding. He has been involved in crocodile projects in China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, South Africa and Spain.

The completion of an MBA degree out of the Business School at the University of Cape Town in 1995 has also equipped him with the necessary business acumen to complete successful business plans and project models for prospective clients.

Howard now offers the full array of services specializing in the establishment of both tourism and commercial breeding business units. These services include the completion of a full feasibility study (both economic and social), project EIAs, the preparation of a comprehensive business plans, the application to government departments for the permit to hold crocodiles and the stocking and commissioning of such projects.