Michael Catlow

Executive Director

Melbourne

Michael’s early career developed in textiles with the Pacific Dunlop Group (Bonds Weaving Mills) in a broad range of technical and management roles. He then moved into marketing with Pacific Dunlop before accepting a senior sales and marketing role with the Swiss group, Benninger AG in 1990. Michael and his family lived for three years in Germany while leading Benninger’s sales activities in China, Indonesia, Philippines, UK, Turkey and Australasia.

Returning to Australia in 1994 he joined the Ramsay McDonald Group as Australasian Sales & Marketing Director.

Michael joined Opie and Gough in 1997, an executive recruitment and HR Consulting organisation, and set up their textile and apparel business unit, purchasing equity in 1999. The Australian Fibres and Textile Eduction Centre (AFTEC) engaged Opie & Gough to advise the Victorian Government on the acquisition of a state-of-the-art pilot plant from Ilkley in the UK for the new Wool Centre of Excellence in Geelong. Michael was responsible for managing this project from plant valuation and purchasing to machinery relocation and plant commissioning in Geelong. Michael’s expertise extends to senior and specialised appointments within the fibre and fabric organisations that make up the Technical Textiles and Non-Wovens sector of the industry.

In 1999, Michael spearheaded Opie & Gough’s thrust into new market sectors, culminating in the launch of a subsidiary organisation, known as Sport Employment Australia; supplying both executive recruitment and human resource consulting services to the sport, event and recreation industries.

He has also represented government on various trade missions to India, England, Brazil and the UAE and often lectures in a guest capacity to textile and apparel university students.

Michael’s specific expertise and interests lie in organisational change strategies, executive recruitment and performance management. Board and Committee positions have included RMIT (Textiles) and the Australasian Textiles and Fashion Magazine and today he is active in the Board of Burwood East Special Development School, Committees at Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School, the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association Board and Deakin University.