About CIRC

CIRC is a strategic advisory and project development firm founded by Michael Rowe (formerly Trinity Energy & Rio Tinto) who leads the firm beside a group of well-credentialled industry experts.

Our firm brings deep expertise in almost all things strategic advisory, market intelligence and project development, having worked in businesses big and small across diverse industries and geographies.

Michael Rowe

Managing Director

Michael is a mining professional and waste entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience working in Rio Tinto, Jacobs and Coffey. Michael held senior procurement and commercial positions at Rio Tinto since 2016, including Global Diesel Decarbonisation Portfolio Manager, Heavy Mobile Equipment Principal, Senior Commercial Analyst within Rio Tinto Global Procurement and Finance.

Michael has led several small businesses including Trinity Energy where he has been director since 2017. Whilst at Trinity Energy, Michael oversaw 10 years of R&D in waste transformation technologies – including for Lynas Rare Earths and the West Australian Water Corporation – and has supported contracts for 10+ MW of advanced power solutions including for the $238.5m Woodman Point WWTP upgrade.

In 2024, Michael was engaged by Alcoa and Tyre Stewardship Australia to complete a feasibility study into establishing an advanced rubber recycling facility in South West, WA.

Our Values

Our work is guided by a strong set of principles that shape every decision we make.

  • Curiosity: We are relentless learners who embrace diverse perspectives and challenge the status quo to uncover new possibilities. We are constantly exploring the latest trends and technologies to ensure our clients are always ahead of the curve.

  • Integrity: We operate with a strong sense of purpose, balancing commercial success with our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Our advice is always honest, transparent, and focused on building trust.

  • Excellence: We champion thought diversity in all its forms, using our varied backgrounds to ask better questions and achieve superior outcomes. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of service and expertise.

  • Stewards of the Future: We are committed to building a better world by promoting circularity, sustainability, and ethical practices. We see ourselves as guardians of a greener, more prosperous future for generations to come.