About Us
We partner with organisations to identify risks, improve systems and navigate complex issues before they become larger problems.
Our practical advice is grounded in real-world experience leading integrity and regulatory agencies.
Lift Strategic was founded by two former senior leaders of integrity agencies who, have collectively led hundreds of complex investigations, governance reviews and organisational assessments.
Drawing on decades of experience examining what goes wrong - and what works well - we help organisations strengthen governance, improve systems and processes, manage risk, and build cultures of integrity.
Our practical, evidence-based recommendations are designed to safeguard organisations, enhance accountability and support better decision-making.
Our Services
Whether you need an independent investigation, a governance review, strategic advice or support managing a complex organisational issue, Lift Strategic brings the expertise and experience to help.
Workplace Investigations
Navigating sensitive workplace issues can be challenging. Engaging an experienced independent investigator provides confidence that matters will be examined fairly, objectively and thoroughly.
Lift Strategic Director and lead investigator, Michael Riches brings extensive investigative experience as a former police officer, lawyer, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of anti-corruption agencies. He has led and overseen hundreds of complex workplace investigations.
As a former litigation lawyer, Michael also understands the importance of conducting investigations that can withstand legal scrutiny.
Every investigation is approached with professionalism, impartiality and attention to detail, ensuring all parties are treated with respect and procedural fairness. We focus on establishing the facts and presenting clear, evidence-based findings that enable organisations to make informed decisions.
Independent. Thorough. Defensible.
Evaluations and Reviews
Strong governance frameworks help organisations manage risk, improve performance and maintain stakeholder confidence. Lift Strategic provides independent evaluations and reviews of policies, practices and systems to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen controls and promote accountability.
We can examine governance, human resources, procurement, asset management, information management and other key operational functions. Whether you require an organisation-wide assessment or a targeted review of a high-risk area, we tailor our approach to meet your needs.
Drawing on extensive experience leading governance evaluations and reviews across public sector organisations, we assess not only whether systems comply with requirements, but whether they are effective in practice.
Independent. Practical. Evidence-based.
Policy Review and Development
Effective policies are the foundation of good governance, accountability and organisational performance. If your policies are outdated, inconsistent or no longer aligned with legislative requirements, industry standards or organisational objectives, Lift Strategic can help.
We provide expert policy review and development services, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities, and creating clear, practical policies tailored to your organisation's risks, obligations and operating environment.
We can assess how policies operate in practice, identify implementation gaps, and support the successful adoption of new or revised frameworks through training, communication and practical change management support.
Our goal is simple: to ensure your policies are not only well-written, but effective, accessible and capable of delivering the outcomes they were designed to achieve.
Clear policies. Practical implementation. Better outcomes.
Adverse Event Reviews
When something goes wrong, understanding why it happened is just as important as understanding what happened.
Traditional investigations often focus on individual actions or failures. In reality, adverse events are rarely caused by a single factor. They are typically the result of multiple, interconnected issues involving systems, processes, governance, communication, culture or decision-making.
Lift Strategic conducts independent adverse event reviews that examine the broader organisational context to identify the underlying causes and contributing factors. Drawing on extensive experience in investigations, governance and policy evaluation, we provide organisations with a clear understanding of what occurred, why it occurred, and what can be done to reduce the risk of recurrence.
We will deliver practical, evidence-based recommendations that strengthen systems, improve organisational resilience and support continuous improvement.
Understanding causes. Strengthening systems. Preventing recurrence.
Strategic Communications
Clear, credible communication is essential to maintaining trust, particularly during periods of change, uncertainty or heightened scrutiny.
Lift Strategic helps organisations communicate complex issues with clarity and confidence. Whether engaging staff, stakeholders, government, regulators, the media or the broader community, we provide strategic advice that ensures messages are clear, consistent and aligned with organisational objectives.
Our experience in integrity oversight and public administration gives us a unique understanding of the communication challenges that arise during sensitive matters, We help organisations navigate these situations thoughtfully, balancing transparency, accountability and risk.
From stakeholder engagement strategies and executive communications to website content, media responses and issues management, we deliver practical support that helps organisations build trust, protect their reputation and communicate with confidence.
Clear messages. Trusted relationships. Confident outcomes.
Education and Training
Prevent problems before they start.
Policies and procedures are only as effective as the people who apply them. If your team doesn’t understand their responsibilities - or why they matter - your organisation is vulnerable to corruption, misconduct, and maladministration.
At Lift Strategic, we believe prevention starts with education. With decades of frontline experience, the Lift Strategic team have trained and advised thousands across the public and private sectors. We deliver engaging, practical training tailored to your needs.
Good governance begins with informed people. Let us help you get there.
Knowledge. Capability. Confidence.
Board Reviews
Effective boards play a critical role in setting strategic direction, managing risk and promoting organisational success. Regular evaluation helps ensure boards and committees are operating effectively, meeting their governance responsibilities and continuing to add value.
Lift Strategic conducts independent board and committee evaluations that assess governance effectiveness, decision-making processes, board dynamics, culture, stakeholder relationships and alignment with organisational objectives. Our reviews provide boards with a clear understanding of their strengths, areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance performance.
Stronger governance. Better decision-making. More effective boards.
Meet Our Team
Lift Strategic brings together a unique team of former senior leaders from regulatory and oversight agencies.
What sets Michael, Tracy and Nick apart is that they understand how regulators and oversight bodies assess risk because we have been responsible for making those assessments ourselves.
We know what attracts scrutiny, what creates organisational vulnerability, and what effective governance looks like in practice.
Michael Riches, Director
Michael Riches is a seasoned professional with an extensive career spanning law enforcement, legal practice, and government oversight. He holds an Honours degree in Law and Legal Practice, a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Public Safety, and Certificates in Justice Studies and Investigation Services, all of which underpin his comprehensive experience.
Michael's career began as a project officer in the Crime Prevention Unit of the South Australian Attorney-General’s Department. He moved to frontline policing, where he served in a number of roles for nearly a decade, gaining invaluable experience in investigations and public safety. Having obtained an Honours degree in Law and Legal Practice, Michael practiced as a lawyer in various capacities, honing his legal acumen and strategic thinking.
His commitment to public integrity led him to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of South Australia. Michael worked as a senior member of the team which established the South Australian ICAC, where he provided expert policy advice and continued with the agency as a lawyer, progressing through key leadership roles including Director Legal Services and Reviews, Chief Executive Officer, and Deputy Commissioner. His tenure at the SA ICAC demonstrated his strong leadership, legal expertise, and dedication to safeguarding public institutions through independent investigations.
Following his impactful work in South Australia, Michael was appointed Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in the Northern Territory, a particularly challenging role in which he served for several years.
Today, Michael channels his extensive experience into Lift Strategic, a bespoke services company he founded with former anti-corruption agency colleague, Tracy Riddiford. Through Lift Strategic, Michael continues to contribute his profound knowledge and strategic insights, offering strategic communications support to both public and private sector clients to improve their internal and external processes.
Tracy Riddiford, Director
Tracy Riddiford brings nearly 12 years of senior leadership experience in corruption prevention, education, and communications. As a founding member of the South Australian Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) leadership team, she has served as a trusted advisor to two Commissioners, known for her sharp strategic insight and integrity-driven guidance.
Tracy established and led ICAC’s corruption prevention, education, and strategic intelligence functions, shaping how public sector and local government agencies assess and improve their integrity frameworks and practices. Her work has influenced policies, practices, and procedures across State and Local Government, helping to strengthen ethical standards and transparency through expert policy advice.
A seasoned communications specialist, Tracy has guided how the Commission engages with stakeholders and has advised numerous public agencies on communicating integrity issues effectively to their staff. Her hallmark is making complex concepts clear, accessible, and compelling, enhancing strategic communications across various platforms.
Beyond the public sector, Tracy is also an award-winning filmmaker. She has produced documentaries for broadcast and has over two decades of experience creating drama-based education content and curriculum. Her education films have been distributed globally—in 62 countries and 14 languages—and used by high-profile institutions such as NASA, the United Nations, and the United States Senate.
Tracy’s commitment to integrity and ethical standards is underpinned by a Bachelor of Justice from Flinders University.
Now, as co-founder of Lift Strategic, alongside former ICAC Deputy Commissioner Michael Riches, Tracy is bringing her expertise to help organisations proactively safeguard their integrity and conduct independent investigations while building cultures of trust.
Nick Kimpton OLY, Principal Advisor
Lift Strategic is proud to partner with Nick Kimpton OLY, a highly respected governance and integrity specialist based in Canberra. Nick brings extensive experience in corruption prevention, governance, risk management, investigations and public administration, providing clients with strategic advice grounded in real-world leadership experience.
Nick is the former Head of Prevention at the ACT Integrity Commission, where he established and led the Commission's corruption prevention and education functions and was a member of the senior leadership team. He also held senior roles with the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI), the predecessor to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, leading corruption prevention initiatives and stakeholder engagement across the federal law enforcement sector.
In addition, Nick served as Director, Governance at the Australian National Audit Office, where he was responsible for governance, risk management, fraud and corruption control, and organisational performance reporting. Throughout his career, he has helped agencies strengthen governance frameworks, improve organisational capability and manage integrity risks.
Nick also brings significant experience conducting workplace code of conduct investigations, and is recognised for his practical, solutions-focused approach to complex governance and integrity challenges.
Before commencing his public sector career, Nick represented Australia in baseball and was a member of the Australian team that won a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Why
Choose Us?
Many firms offer governance reviews, investigations or communications advice. Far fewer can say they have sat in the executive chairs of integrity agencies, assessed allegations, authorised investigations, reviewed governance failures and reported directly to Parliament and the public.
Our experience has taught us that governance failures rarely emerge without warning. The challenge is recognising the signs early enough to act.
Regulatory insight
Insiders knowledge
Practical experience
Runs on the board
Trusted independence
Objective and credible
Testimonials
“Michael and Tracy bring a combination of integrity, sound judgement and practical experience. Their ability to analyse complex issues and provide clear strategic advice makes them trusted advisers in any challenging environment.”
Connie Bonaros, CEO
“Tracy and Michael bring intelligence, thoughtfulness, and professional expertise to everything they do. They are also collaborative, reliable, and genuinely great to work with.”
Jody F
“It has been a pleasure to work with Michael for more than a decade and I can attest to his integrity, knowledge and skill. He is committed to delivering to the highest standards and will go above and beyond for his clients.”
Senior Governance Professional
“Tracy is caring, intelligent, a fast study, and has an unerring sense of fairness. she has always been enthusiastic with an uncompromising commitment to quality.”
Graeme K
Stay Connected
0426 182 188
contact@liftstrategic.com.au