Overview
Michael Thomas is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Melbourne office and head of the global Agribusiness Practice. He is also a member of the global Consumer and Industrial practices. A former CEO and non-executive director, Michael brings 25 years of firsthand leadership experience to his senior-level client work. He draws on his international search experience to place board members, chief executive officers, and other C-level executives in diverse industry sectors. Michael has successfully completed more than 100 senior level searches around the world.
Experience
Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Michael led the industrial practice in Australia and New Zealand for another global search firm. Prior to his search career, he served as CEO of AsureQuality, Asia Pacific’s largest food safety, quality assurance, and biosecurity company, with 2,000 employees throughout Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East.
Michael also held senior executive roles with PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest listed agribusiness, with operations in Australasia, Asia, and South America. During his tenure, he led the $1 billion retail and financial services businesses overseeing a broad network of more than 100 locations.
Before that, Michael spent 10 years with AWB, Australia’s leading soft commodities marketer, where he led the organisation’s $4 billion retail business servicing 90,000 clients in a national network of 400 locations, as well as leading corporate strategy, M&A, marketing, corporate affairs, human resources, and investor relations.
Michael has served as both a non-executive director and executive director on several boards.
Education
University of New England, Master's Degree in Economics
University of Adelaide, Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Financial Services Institute of Australasia, Graduate Diplomas of Agricultural Economics and Finance and Investment